Two Friends

The only purpose 

of the world's existence is

the meeting of two friends,

who face God,

and turn away from 

worldly desire.

 --Shems

Speak or listen

O, sir, it is my habit that when someone comes to me, I ask 
"Sir, do you wish to speak or listen?" 
If he says, "I will speak," 
I listen for three days and nights in a row, 
unless he runs away and leaves me. 
If he says, "I will listen," then I talk. 
However, I do not want us talking together 
so that I start speaking 
and he interrupts my words.--Shams-e-Tabrizi