M6:1058 — هم‌چو وعدهٔ مکر و گفتار دروغ / آخرش رسوا و اول با فروغ

Translation: Like the promise of deceit and lying speech, / Its end is disgrace, its beginning is radiance. Meaning: This verse warns against deceptive promises and falsehoods that initially appear brilliant and alluring but ultimately lead to exposure and shame.

In this verse and those preceding it, Mowlana imparts one of his deepest existential lessons: the fundamental divergence between outward appearance and inner reality. He constantly cautions against superficiality, emphasizing the crucial importance of discerning the essence of things. This couplet follows a series of parables, all pointing to the same truth: sometimes, fortune and blessings arrive in the humble guise of a slave, yet our outward-gazing eyes fail to recognize them. We may, at times, deem a wooden horse adorned with a satin cover more beautiful than a true, swift steed.

I have often stressed Mowlana’s critique of our 'childishness' – how we, like children, seek only sweetness and turn away from internal bitterness that might, in fact, lead to true sweetness. He reminds us that 'All my counsel to you is this: / You are but a child, and the house is colorful.' This world is a vibrant house with beautiful walls, but its foundations might be crumbling, and we remain captivated by the facade of its archways.

Mowlana vividly illustrates this contrast with poignant examples: the graves of the unbelievers, outwardly adorned with intricate designs, yet inwardly 'full of smoke and fire.' Or the wealth of oppressors, outwardly possessing a seductive beauty, but inwardly concealing 'the blood of the oppressed and ruin.' How beautifully he portrays the hypocrite, who outwardly performs 'fasting and prayers,' yet whose inner self is 'barren black earth,' yielding no growth. Or the empty, thundering cloud, 'full of rumble and roar,' yet bringing no benefit to the earth, nor causing a single grain to sprout.

At the climax of these parables, Mowlana arrives at the promise of deceit and lying speech. These are precisely like the wooden horse and the ornate grave; initially 'radiant' and beguiling, they appear so sweet and attractive that they stir our appetites. Yet, it is this very false radiance that ultimately leads to 'disgrace' and the unveiling of truth. This is a profound lesson essential for our discernment in life: not every initial gleam signifies truth. Sometimes, that very brilliance is a sign of artifice and trickery, and to grasp it, one must transcend superficiality and gaze into the depths of inner reality. This is an invitation to escape the prison of appearances and soar towards the realm of meaning, where truth reveals itself unmasked.

Key takeaways

• Not all initial radiance signifies truth; a charming exterior can precede disgrace.
• Deceptive promises and lying words often possess a dazzling initial allure.
• Mowlana consistently warns against 'outward-gazing' and 'childishness' in facing reality.
• What lies within the essence of things often contradicts what is presented on the surface.
• Discerning truth requires looking beyond superficial displays and plumbing the depths of matters.