M4:1976 — خیر کن با خلق بهر ایزدت / یا برای راحت جان خودت

This beyt comes from a section where a man is seeking advice from someone he knows to be an enemy. The enemy, surprisingly, advises him not to seek counsel from an adversary, but rather from a friend, because a friend genuinely seeks your welfare. This couplet then expands on the general principle of doing good. It presents two primary motivations for benevolent actions: firstly, for the sake of God (بهر ایزدت), implying a religious or spiritual duty and seeking divine pleasure; and secondly, for the sake of one's own soul's comfort (راحت جان خودت).

Rumi, through the voice of this 'enemy,' subtly teaches a profound ethical lesson. Even if one lacks the higher spiritual motivation, the practical benefit of doing good is that it fosters inner peace and prevents the turmoil that comes from malice and conflict. The preceding beyts emphasize that an enemy will only lead you astray, and that one should avoid causing harm to friends lest they turn into foes. Doing good, therefore, is presented as a universal strategy for a more harmonious existence, whether motivated by piety or self-interest.