OMAR KHAYYAM

The thoughtful soul to solitude retires.

The Worldly Hope men set their Hearts upon Turns Ashes - or it prospers; and anon, Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty Face, Lighting a little hour or two - is gone.

Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.

When I want to understand what is happening today or try to decide what will happen tomorrow, I look back.

Myself when young did eagerly frequent doctor and saint, and heard great argument about it and about: but evermore came out by the same door as in I went.

There was a door to which I found no key: There was the veil through which I might not see.

The moving finger writes, and having written moves on. Nor all thy piety nor all thy wit, can cancel half a line of it.

You know, my friends, with what a brave carouse I made a Second Marriage in my house; favored old barren reason from my bed, and took the daughter of the vine to spouse.

Drink! for you know not whence you came nor why: drink! for you know not why you go, nor where.

A hair divides what is false and true.

A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou.

Living Life Tomorrow's fate, though thou be wise, Thou canst not tell nor yet surmise; Pass, therefore, not today in vain, For it will never come again.

The Flower that once has blown forever dies.

Whoever thinks algebra is a trick in obtaining unknowns has thought it in vain. No attention should be paid to the fact that algebra and geometry are different in appearance. Algebras (jabbre and maqabeleh) are geometric facts which are proved by propositions five and six of Book two of Elements.

Why, all the Saints and Sages who discuss'd Of the Two Worlds so wisely - they are thrust Like foolish Prophets forth; their Words to Scorn Are scattered, and their mouths are stopped with Dust.

I wonder what the vintners buy one half so precious as the stuff they sell.

Ah, take the Cash, and let the Credit go, Nor heed the rumble of a distant Drum!

The wine-cup is the little silver well, Where truth, if truth there be, doth dwell.

To-day is thine to spend, but not to-morrow; Counting on morrows breedeth bankrupt sorrow: O squander not this breath that Heaven hath lent thee; Make not too sure another breath to borrow.

To friends and eke to foes true kindness show; No kindly heart unkindly deeds will do; Harshness will alienate a bosom friend. And kindness reconcile a deadly foe.