M4:67 — مر یکی را پا دگر را پای‌بند / مر یکی را زهر و بر دیگر چو قند

This couplet is the core of Rumi's argument on the relativity of good and evil, a point he illustrates using the story of the lover and the night watchman. The watchman's pursuit, which would be a misfortune for most, became the very cause of the lover's union with his beloved. Rumi uses this narrative to pivot to a universal principle: nothing in the world is absolutely good or absolutely evil.

The imagery is stark and effective. A 'foot' (pā) represents freedom, movement, and progress, while a 'fetter' (pāy-band) is its exact opposite—an obstacle that binds. Similarly, poison and sugar (qand) are archetypal opposites. Rumi insists that these qualities are not inherent in things themselves but are determined by their relationship to the observer and the specific context. What seems like a poison can be a remedy (tiryāq), and what appears to be a blessing can become a curse. This perspective challenges us to look beyond immediate appearances and understand that the ultimate value of any event is often hidden.