M1:3291 — فلسفی مر دیو را منکر شود / در همان دم سخرهٔ دیوی بود

Rumi, in this section, critiques the rationalistic philosopher (فلسفی) who relies solely on sensory perception and logical deduction, thereby denying realities that lie beyond their immediate grasp. The immediate context is Rumi's discussion of the 'speech' of inanimate objects (water, earth, clay) and the 'moaning pillar' (حنّانه), which philosophers deny as mere 'figments of imagination' (خیالات). Rumi argues that this denial stems from their own inner corruption and disbelief.

Here, the 'demon' (دیو) can be understood not only as a literal evil spirit but also as a metaphor for the lower self, base desires, or corrupting influences that operate subtly. By denying the existence of such forces, the philosopher drops his guard, becoming an unwitting 'plaything' (سخره) or puppet of the very thing he disavows. This highlights a core Sufi teaching: true wisdom involves recognizing both the seen and the unseen, and acknowledging the subtle forces that shape human experience, including the inner struggle against one's own ego and negative impulses.