Be happy, since once you’re upset it goes on forever– as stars move into conjunction in the sky, it will go on. The brick they will one day mold from your clay will be lodged in the portico of someone else’s palace. Translated by Juan Cole from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 162
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Omar Khayyam
Omar Khayyam (259) “Have some wine, since no one is given a long life”
The revolving sky, which has never revealed any mysteries, has brutally crushed a thousand innocents. Have some wine, since no one is given a long life and once people have left this world they aren’t coming back. Translated by Juan Cole from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 259
Omar Khayyam (458) “Be happy in this fleeting moment”
Since you can’t comprehend the mysteries, why wallow uselessly in grief? Since you ‘re not going to get your way, be happy in this fleeting moment for which you exist. Translated by Juan Cole from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 458
Omar Khayyam (484) “Summer’s new warmth has melted memories of last December”
You’re fast on your feet, server, and dawn is breaking. Let’s have another song, and bring more wine! For summer’s new warmth has melted memories of last December, and of the hundred thousand famous kings and leaders who have been laid beneath the hard, cold earth these past few months. Translated by Juan Cole from Omar […]
Omar Khayyam (42) “No hand would set out to break them”
As for the parts of a wineglass that have been joined together– no hand would set out to break them apart. But as for the shapely hands and feet of a temptress– whose grace joins them together? […]
Omar Khayyam (383) “it is a shame for anyone to be well-known for righteousness”
It is a shame for anyone to be well-known for righteousness. It is a great disgrace to feel distress at the injustice of the turning of the wheels of fate. To get drunk on the nose of a fine vintage born of luscious grapes is better than to be renowned to be a self-denying prude. Translated by […]
Omar Khayyam (336)
I know the outside of being and nothingness, and I know the inside of the high and the low. Even so, I should be ashamed of all my knowledge if I knew of any higher status than drunkenness. Translated by Juan Cole from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 336
Omar Khayyam (472) “Wine, you are my insane sweetheart”
Wine, you are my insane sweetheart; I hit the bottle and have no fear of disgrace. Drink […]
Omar Khayyam (284) “God is merciful: Here, have some wine”
I staggered, drunk, outside a bar last night and saw a tipsy older man emerge, a bottle slung across his shoulder; and I said to him, “At your age, aren’t you ashamed before the Lord Almighty?” He laughed, “God is merciful: Here, have some wine!” Translated by Juan Cole from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 284