Knowledge And Wisdom Poem by Mohammad Younus

Enraged against a person boasting of fortune,
Sage Wisdom once said to proud Fortune:
'I'll give away free my treasures without end,
If thou have the ability to make a difference...
between pebbles on the road and pearls in the chest.'

'My valuable pearls and gems to him I give generously...
who seeks wisdom as his lost treasure from me,
And ever I bless him with my rare knowledge;
If I notice in him intense urge for knowledge,
If he ceases not craving for wisdom and knowledge,
He will never find me niggard in giving knowledge.

'Come, let us share knowledge and wisdom, the true wealth!
And not waste our life on collecting material wealth,
The material wealth gives us nothing but miseries;
Why always labor to grow plants that deadly fruit do yield?
Here in wisdom and knowledge is enough for both the worlds! '

The proud fortune laughed away the prudent sage! --
And raised up his brows indignantly, and precipitated hot:
'Here lives thy friend in great luxury,
Why are you jealous of my prosperity?
Why do you want me reconcile with abject poverty--
Of sages and saints, selling their wisdom and knowledge free?
I need thee not! I need your wisdom not! I need your knowledge not!

MyKoul