M6:2022 — نخوت‌ش بر ما سبالی می‌زند / لیک ریش از رشک ما بر می‌کند

Translation: Their arrogance flicks a whisker at us, But out of envy for us, they pull at their beard.

Meaning: The arrogant person outwardly displays disdain, but inwardly, they are consumed by a profound envy that causes them distress and self-torment.

This verse from the Masnavi offers a remarkably vivid and psychologically acute portrayal of the contradiction between the outward display and inner reality of an arrogant and envious individual. Rumi, with his profound psychological subtlety, delves into the internal state of such a person. The phrase نخوت‌ش بر ما سبالی می‌زند (Their arrogance flicks a whisker at us) is an idiom signifying a dismissive gesture of pride and contempt. To 'flick a whisker' or 'blow one's moustache' (bād-e seblat zadan) is a display of self-importance and disdain, often used to maintain an outward appearance of status or power, making the other party seem insignificant.

However, Rumi immediately penetrates this deceptive facade to reveal the inner truth of the person. The line لیک ریش از رشک ما بر می‌کند (But out of envy for us, they pull at their beard) illustrates that this seemingly powerful demeanor is a mere cover for a deeper, internal torment: envy (rask). 'Pulling one's beard' (rīsh barkandan) is a symbol of distress, regret, self-reproach, or a consuming anger that burns within and leads to self-inflicted agony. Thus, the one who outwardly flaunts their pride is, in reality, internally aflame with jealousy towards us, causing themselves profound suffering.

This is where Rumi touches upon a fundamental point: خودخواهی (self-centeredness) and تکبر (arrogance) are impurities that can only be purified through immersion in spiritual 'wine' (sharāb), which represents divine love and self-effacement. The 'master' (khwāja) who clings tightly to his beard and whiskers (symbols of his reputation and pride) is in need of this spiritual wine to liberate him from these 'impurities.' An individual engrossed in such displays of bād-e seblat (proud posturing) has not yet been freed from their egocentricity and thus lacks the true 'intoxication' that casts away all such delusions and false self-perceptions. In such a state, the outward show of arrogance serves only as a disguise for rask (envy), which ultimately harms the individual himself, not the object of his disdain. This verse beautifully illustrates that true greatness lies in liberation from these 'whisker-flicking' prides and 'beard-pulling' envies.

Key takeaways

• Outward displays of arrogance and pride often mask deep-seated envy and inner suffering.
• Acts of self-importance are not signs of strength, but stem from psychological weakness.
• Those who look upon others with disdain are, in fact, burning with self-tormenting envy.
• The 'flicking of whiskers' is a performance of ego, alien to true wisdom.
• The pain of envy is a silent self-harm that erodes the individual from within.
• Releasing self-centeredness is a path to healing the suffering caused by comparison and envy.