Omar Khayyam

I don’t drink wine for sheer enjoyment nor to corrupt my morals nor for irreligion or bad character. I want to tame my carnal soul and make it selfless. That’s why I drink and why I get drunk Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 66

Even though my sins  have jinxed me and made me unlovely I have not lost hope, like a pagan in his temple. But in the wee hours when I sober up I want wine and a lover whether heaven or hell Translared by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 65

Your evil self is like  a household dog,  barking for no good reason. It is like a fox  dreaming of a rabbit. It roars like a tiger and is tricky as a wolf. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 61

Every heart in which  the light of love shines– whether worshipper in a mosque or member of a church– and those who write their names in the book of passion are liberated from hell and free of paradise. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 58

I am not suited to the mosque nor fitted to the church The Lord knows  what he made my clay from. I am like an atheist mystic or an ugly prostitute: Neither religion nor worldliness, and no hope of paradise. Translared by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 58

My creed is to drink wine and be happy; my faith is to be devoid of unbelief and religion. I said to the bride of fate, “How big a diamond would you like?” She said, “My diamond is your joyous heart.” Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 58

We are pagans of love; the orthodox are something else. We are like puny ants; the splendor of Solomon is something else. Our faces are sallow and our clothing is tattered; the fine linens at the boutique are something else. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 57

I spent a lifetime romancing with wine and roses, but none of my efforts ever went right; since none of my desires was fulfilled through wine, I’ve given up on what is past. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 56

Bartender, since fate has defeated you and me, and this world is not a dwelling for you and me; but given that we have a glass of wine in our midst know for sure that the truth is in your hand and mine. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 55