“You’ll throw yourself away” vs “It’s better to be alone than with just anyone”: which strategy is better? It's better to starve than to eat anything

Over the many millennia of human existence on earth, universal human culture has accumulated a wealth of knowledge in the field of the peculiarities of relationships between members of society. As one of the eastern sages said, “It is better to starve than to eat anything,” it is better to remain alone than to communicate with the unworthy.

Who said these words?

The words “It is better to starve than to eat anything”, “it is better to be alone than among people unequal to you” belong to the pen of the famous oriental poet Omar Khayyam.

He was originally from Persia, lived about a thousand years ago, and glorified himself as a famous mathematician and astronomer. Throughout his life, Omar Khayyam wrote short quatrains called rubai.

In these poems he expressed his life philosophy. Being a poet of Muslim culture, he did not share some of the tenets of this religion: he was skeptical about the divine plan of Allah, indulged in pessimism, observing examples of injustice and vice in front of him.

Philosophy of the Eastern poet

In his life position, he is most likely close to the figures of the Renaissance, who also sought with their whole lives to prove the right of man to independently build his own destiny and change the world around him.

As a matter of fact, Omar Khayyam’s poems received a kind of “rebirth” precisely in the Western world, when one of the Western poets began to translate them into English the century before last. Thanks to interest in the personality of the distant Persian author, his mathematical and astronomical achievements were rediscovered, so today the name of this man is known to any educated lover of literature.

“It’s better to starve than to eat anything”: is it better to be alone? What does this phrase mean?

The Little Rubai of O. Khayyam, which states that you need to carefully choose your circle of friends, has been the subject of controversy for quite some time. After all, man is a social being, he lives in communication with his own kind, so loneliness is often unbearable for him.

Why does the ancient poet offer solitude as a saving island of peace for each of us?

Let's try to answer this question.

Note that this poem (as the work of a true philosopher) contains a logical dilemma: “to be with just anyone” or “to be alone” (let’s quote the last line of the poem: “It’s better to be alone than with just anyone”).

Of course, there is a worthy alternative: rather than communicate with those who will never understand or appreciate you, isn’t it better to remain silent and reflective? After all, this option will be the best for everyone, isn’t it?

Sometimes O. Khayyam is accused of excessive arrogance, because his phrase: “It is better to starve than to eat anything” does not make anyone better. What? Is the poet really calling us to abstain from food?

No, he most likely teaches us to be picky about food (which is generally very relevant for us people of the 21st century). It is better to go hungry than to eat GMO foods, it is better to abstain from food than to eat goods from McDonald's.

You need to be picky in food and in choosing friends, then serious illnesses will not await you and the people who are next to you will not betray you in difficult times.

The poet is right after all. And this is wisdom coming from the depths of centuries.

How relevant is Eastern wisdom today?

And aphorisms are always relevant - both 1000 years ago and today, in our age of computer technology. A person remains a person, therefore the quiet rubai of O. Khayyam will always find their reader. And in our time, when short statements are perceived much better than the multi-volume works of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, even more so.

Therefore, read the immortal Persian poet and enjoy his works! And most importantly, look for a circle of true friends who would understand and appreciate you!

Details

The image of the great poet of the East Omar Khayyam is covered in legends, and his biography is full of secrets and mysteries. The ancient East knew Omar Khayyam primarily as an outstanding scientist: mathematician, physicist, astronomer, philosopher. In the modern world, Omar Khayyam is better known as a poet, the creator of original philosophical and lyrical quatrains - wise, full of humor, guile and audacity rubai.

Rubai is one of the most complex genre forms of Tajik-Persian poetry. The volume of the rubai is four lines, three of which (rarely four) rhyme with each other. Khayyam is an unsurpassed master of this genre. His rubai amaze with the accuracy of his observations and the depth of his understanding of the world and human soul, the brightness of his images and the grace of his rhythm.

Living in the religious east, Omar Khayyam thinks about God, but decisively rejects all church dogmas. His irony and free-thinking were reflected in the rubai. He was supported by many poets of his time, but due to fear of persecution for freethinking and blasphemy, they also attributed their works to Khayyam.

Omar Khayyam is a humanist; for him, man and his spiritual world are above all. He appreciates the pleasure and joy of life, enjoying every minute. And his style of presentation made it possible to express what could not be said out loud in open text.

15 deep and unsurpassed quotes by Omar Khayyam about man, happiness and love:

1. To be beautiful does not mean to be born so,

After all, we can learn beauty.

When a man is beautiful in soul -

What appearance can compare with her?

2. The lower a person’s soul, the higher his nose turns up.

He reaches with his nose to where his soul has not grown.

3. He who is beaten by life will achieve more.

He who eats a pound of salt appreciates honey more.

He who shed tears laughs sincerely.

He who died knows that he lives!

4. Two people were looking through the same window. One saw rain and mud.

The other is green elm foliage, spring and blue sky.

Two people were looking out the same window.

5. We are a source of fun and a mine of sorrow.

We are a receptacle of filth - and a pure spring.

Man, as if in a mirror, the world has many faces.

He is insignificant - and he is immeasurably great!

6. How often, when we make mistakes in life, we lose those we value.

Trying to please others, sometimes we run away from our neighbors.

We exalt those who are not worthy of us, and betray the most faithful.

Those who love us so much, we offend, and we ourselves expect an apology.

7. We will never enter this world again,

We will never meet our friends at the table.

Catch every flying moment -

he will never be ambushed later.

8. Don’t envy someone who is strong and rich,

Sunset always follows dawn.

With this short life, equal to a breath,

Treat it as if it was rented to you.

9. I think it's better to be alone

How to give the heat of the soul to “someone”?

Having given away a priceless gift to just anyone,

Once you meet your loved one, you will not be able to fall in love.

10. Isn’t it funny to save a penny all your life,

What if you still can’t buy eternal life?

This life was given to you, my dear, for a while, -

Try not to waste time.

11. Giving yourself does not mean selling.

And sleeping next to each other does not mean sleeping with you.

Not taking revenge does not mean forgiving everything.

Not being around doesn't mean not loving.

12. You can seduce a man who has a wife,

you can seduce a man who has a mistress,

but you cannot seduce a man who has a beloved woman.

13. To live your life wisely, you need to know a lot,

Remember two important rules to get started:

You'd rather starve than eat anything

And it’s better to be alone than with just anyone.

14. Don’t do evil - it will come back like a boomerang,

Don't spit in the well - you will drink the water,

Don't insult someone of lower rank

What if you have to ask for something?

Don't betray your friends, you can't replace them,

And don’t lose your loved ones - you won’t get them back,

Don't lie to yourself - you'll find out over time

That you are betraying yourself with this lie.

15. A plucked flower should be given as a gift,

the poem started is completed,

and the beloved woman is happy,

Otherwise, you shouldn’t take on something you can’t do.

He who understands life is no longer in a hurry,
Savoring every moment and watching
As a child sleeps, an old man prays,
How it rains and how a snowflake melts.
*************************************

Communicating with a fool will not lead to shame,

Therefore, listen to Khayyam’s advice:

Take the poison offered to you by the sage,

I know the world: in it a thief sits on a thief,

A wise man always loses in an argument with a fool,

The dishonest one shames the honest one,

And a drop of happiness drowns in a sea of grief.
************************************
Another author, if you are really interested in this topic, you can find rubai on the topic of a wife, like you need to take a small one, like “choose the lesser of two evils.” There was a similar thought in some verse

“Hell and heaven are in heaven,” say the bigots.

I looked inside myself and became convinced of the lie:

Hell and heaven are not circles in the palace of the universe,

Hell and heaven are two halves of the soul.

In general, motivational rubai are not typical for Khayyam. He had more depressive, darkly philosophical ones. Well, about wine and boobs, of course)

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The ocean consisting of drops is large.

The continent is made up of dust particles.

Your coming and going don't matter

It was like a fly flew into the window for a moment.

At one time (back in 2012) I became acquainted with the work of Omar Khayyam and wrote several of my own Rubai. I posted them only on the League of Legends website and in one group on VK related to poetry.

One day I asked the gray-haired old man:
"What is the meaning of our life?" The old man answered with a word:
"No one could find the answer to this question,
But if you find me, I will live my life again."

Sages all over the world tried to understand:

Can every person choose a path?
Or is it already destined in the book of fate?
If so, you just need to accept it here.

Now don’t regret the past years,

It’s better to quickly pour some wine into the cup,

For we do not live long in the daily world,

Let's drink together to make life more fun!

I kiss your lips in complete silence,

And under the cover of night, we burn in fire.

Ah, I could remember this wonderful moment forever,

If you were with me now, and not in a beautiful dream.

<<Чтоб мудро жизнь прожить, знать надобно не мало,

And it’s better to be alone than with just anyone.>>

Omar Khayyam about life. Omar Khayyam - Giyasaddin Abu-l-Fath Omar ibn Ibrahim al-Khayyam Nishapuri who doesn’t understand م نیشابورﻯ- (Persian poet, philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, racial Arab genius.To there is, in fact, Omar was a Persian, but is perceived by everyone as an Arab. A poet and a hard-drinking alcoholic, at the same time a theologian and bearer of the title “Pillar of Faith” (Ghiyas ad-Din) (1048-1131)

<<Ранним утром, о нежная, чарку налей,
Drink wine and play the chang more cheerfully,
Because life is short, because there is no return
For those who have left here... Therefore, drink!>>

Omar Khayyam about himself.

Contemporaries addressed him - “The greatest of the wise!”, Also “The wisest of the great!”

“Fools regard me as a sage,
God knows: I'm not who they think I am,
I know no more about myself and the world
Those fools who diligently read me.”

Omar Khayyam about Nibblers (fans) <<Много лет размышлял я над жизнью земной.
There is nothing incomprehensible to me under the sun.
I know that I know nothing, -
This is the last secret I have learned.>>

Omar Khayyam

The name reflects information about the poet’s life.

غیاث ‌الدین Giyas ad-Din - “Shoulder of Faith”, means knowledge of the Koran.

ابوالفتح عمر بن ابراهیم Abu l-Fath Omar ibn Ibrahim - kunya. “Abu” is the father, “Fath” is the conqueror, “Omar” is life, Ibrahim is the name of the father.

خیام Khayyam - nickname, laqab - “tent maker”, a reference to his father’s craft. From the word “khaima” - tent, from the same word comes the Old Russian “khamovnik” - textile worker.

<<Чем ниже человек душой, тем выше задирает нос. Он носом тянется туда, куда душою не дорос.>>

Omar Khayyam about your friends.

Although Khayyam was not only a theologian, but also a mathematician, doctor, philosopher and even an astronomer, he remained in history as the author of the cycle of quatrains “Rubaiyat”, in which he discussed the rich, the poor, and the sick of the religion of the brain. << Я познание сделал своим ремеслом,

Except for death, tied in a dead knot.>>

Omar Khayyam

In algebra, he constructed a classification of cubic equations and gave their solutions using conic sections. <<Ад и рай в небесах, уверяют ханжи
I looked into myself and became convinced of the lie.
Hell and heaven are not circles in the palace of the universe -
Hell and heaven are two halves of the soul.>>

In Iran, Omar Khayyam is also known for creating a more accurate calendar than the European one, which has been officially used since the 11th century.

Omar Khayyam is one of my idols.

Omar Khayyam Wisdom of life 1 Omar Khayyam Wisdom of life 2 Omar Khayyam Wisdom of life 3 Omar Khayyam Wisdom of life 4 Omar Khayyam Wisdom of life 5 Omar Khayyam wisdom of life 6 Omar Khayyam Wisdom of life 7 Omar Khayyam wisdom of life 8 Omar Khayyam wisdom of life 9 Soothsayer Omar Khayyam. Chronicle of a Legend Episode 1
Khayyam's creativity

Everything we see is only one appearance.
Far from the surface of the world to the bottom.
Consider the obvious in the world to be unimportant,
For the secret essence of things is not visible.
Translation by German Plisetsky

I have made knowledge my craft,
I am familiar with the highest truth and the basest evil.
I unraveled all the tight knots in the world,
Except for death, tied in a dead knot.
Translation by German Plisetsky

One work that is always shameful is to exalt oneself,
Are you so great and wise? - dare to ask yourself.
Let the eyes serve as an example - huge seeing the world,
They do not complain because they cannot see themselves.
Translation by B. Golubev

Although the wise man is not a miser and does not hoard wealth,
The world is bad for the wise without silver.
Under the fence the violet will fade from begging,
And the rich rose is red and generous!
Translation by German Plisetsky

Someone wise inspired me as I dozed off:
“Wake up! You can't become happy in a dream.
Give up this activity, which is like death,
After death, Khayyam, you will get a good night’s sleep!”
Translation by German Plisetsky

Nobility is born from suffering, friend,
Is it possible for every drop to become a pearl?
You can lose everything, just save your soul, -
The cup would be filled again if there was wine.
Translation by Gleb Semenov

He who from youth believes in his own mind,
In pursuit of the truth, he became dry and gloomy.
Claiming from childhood to know life,
Instead of becoming a grape, it turned into a raisin.
Translation by German Plisetsky

How long will you please all sorts of beasts?
Only a fly can give his soul for food!
Feed on the blood of your heart, but be independent.
It is better to swallow tears than to gnaw on scraps.
Translation by Gleb Semenov

You will say this life is one moment.
Appreciate it, draw inspiration from it.
As you spend it, so it will pass,
Don't forget: she is your creation.
Translation by K. Arseneva and Ts. Banu

There is no satisfaction from feigned love,
No matter how much the rotten light shines, there is no combustion.
Day and night there is no peace for a lover,
For months there is no moment of oblivion!
Translation by Gleb Semenov

Why suffer needlessly for the sake of common happiness -
It’s better to give happiness to someone close.
It’s better to tie a friend to yourself with kindness,
How to free humanity from its shackles.
Translation by German Plisetsky

To live your life wisely, you need to know a lot,
Remember two important rules to get started:
You'd rather starve than eat anything
And it’s better to be alone than with just anyone.
Translation by Osip Rumer

Don't let a scoundrel into your secrets - hide them,
And keep secrets from a fool - hide them,
Look at yourself among the people passing by,
Keep silent about your hopes until the end - hide them!
Translation by N. Tenigina

I know this kind of pompous asses:
Empty as a drum, and so many loud words!
They are slaves of names. Just make up a name for yourself
And any of them is ready to crawl in front of you.
Translation by Osip Rumer

Just the essence, how worthy of men, speak,
Only when answering - the words sir - speak.
There are two ears, but one tongue is not given by chance -
Listen twice and speak only once!
Translation by N. Tenigina

Wine is prohibited, but there are four “buts”:
It depends on who drinks wine, with whom, when and in moderation.
If these four conditions are met
Wine is allowed to all sane people.
Translation by Osip Rumer

It's not right to offend good people
It’s not appropriate to growl like a predator in the desert.
It is not smart to boast about the wealth you have acquired,
It is not proper to honor oneself for titles!
Translation by N. Tenigina

We change rivers, countries, cities...
Other doors... New Years...
And we can’t escape ourselves anywhere,
And if you go, you’ll only go nowhere.
Translation by I. Nalbandyan

You recognize the superiority of others, that means you are a husband,
If he is the master of his actions, then he is the husband.
There is no honor in humiliating someone who is defeated,
Being kind to those who have fallen in misfortune means a husband!
Translation by N. Tenigina

If a mill, a bathhouse, a luxurious palace
A fool and a scoundrel receives a gift,
And the worthy goes into bondage for bread -
I don't care about your justice, creator!
Translation by German Plisetsky

You, the Almighty, in my opinion, are greedy and old.
You deal blow after blow to the slave.
Paradise is the reward of the sinless for their obedience.
Would you give me something not as a reward, but as a gift!
Translation by German Plisetsky

It’s better to drink and caress cheerful beauties,
Why seek salvation in fasting and prayers?
If there's a place in hell for lovers and drunkards,
Then who do you order to be allowed into heaven?
Translation by German Plisetsky

Love is a fatal misfortune, but the misfortune is by the will of Allah.
Why do you blame what is always by the will of Allah?
A series of both evil and good arose - by the will of Allah.
Why do we need thunder and flames of Judgment - according to the will of Allah?
Translation by Vladimir Derzhavin

At heart you are an atheist with Scripture in your hand,
At least I memorized the letters in each line.
You hit the ground with your head to no avail,
Better hit the ground with everything that's in your head!
Translation by Alexander Shcherbakov

If only I had power over this evil sky,
I would crush it and replace it with another,
So that there are no obstacles to noble aspirations
And a person could live without being tormented by melancholy.
Translation by German Plisetsky

No one saw either heaven or hell;
Has anyone returned from there to our corruptible world?
But these ghosts are fruitless for us
Both fears and hopes are an unchanging source.
Translation by Osip Rumer

The one who gives the world as a gift to the lucky ones,
The rest gets hit after blow
Don’t worry that you had less fun than others,
Be glad that you suffered less than others.
Translation by German Plisetsky

Because the truth always gets out of hand
Don't try to understand something you don't understand, friend!
Take the cup in your hands, remain ignorant
There is no point, believe me, in studying science!
Translation by German Plisetsky

“Hell and heaven are in heaven,” say the bigots.
I looked inside myself and became convinced of the lie:
Hell and heaven are not circles in the palace of the universe,
Hell and heaven are two halves of the soul.

Be careful - villainous fate is nearby!
The sword of time is sharp, don’t be a superlative!
When fate puts halva in your mouth,
Be careful - don't eat... It contains sugar mixed with poison.
Translation by German Plisetsky

15 deep and unsurpassed quotes from Omar Khayyam about man, happiness and love:

To be beautiful does not mean to be born so,
After all, we can learn beauty.
When a man is beautiful in soul -
What appearance can compare with her?

The lower man soul, the higher nose up.
He reaches with his nose to where his soul has not grown.

He who is beaten by life will achieve more.
He who eats a pound of salt appreciates honey more.
He who shed tears laughs sincerely.
He who died knows that he lives!

Two people were looking out the same window. One saw rain and mud.
The other is green elm foliage, spring and blue sky.
Two people were looking out the same window.

We are a source of fun - and a mine of sorrow.
We are a receptacle of filth - and a pure spring.
Man, as if in a mirror, the world has many faces.
He is insignificant - and he is immeasurably great!

How often, when we make mistakes in life, we lose those we value.
Trying to please others, sometimes we run away from our neighbors.
We exalt those who are not worthy of us, and betray the most faithful.
Those who love us so much, we offend, and we ourselves expect an apology.

We will never enter this world again,
We will never meet our friends at the table.
Catch every flying moment -
he will never be ambushed later.

Don't envy someone who is strong and rich
Sunset always follows dawn.
With this short life, equal to a breath,
Treat it as if it was rented to you.

I think it's better to be alone
How to give the heat of the soul to “someone”?
Having given away a priceless gift to just anyone,
Once you meet your loved one, you will not be able to fall in love.

Isn’t it funny to save a penny all your life,
What if you still can’t buy eternal life?
This life was given to you, my dear, for a while, -
Try not to waste time.

Giving yourself does not mean selling.
And sleeping next to each other does not mean sleeping with you.
Not taking revenge does not mean forgiving everything.
Not being around doesn't mean not loving.

You can seduce a man who has a wife, you can seduce a man who has a mistress, but you cannot seduce a man who has a beloved woman.

To live your life wisely, you need to know a lot,
Remember two important rules to get started:
You'd rather starve than eat anything
And it’s better to be alone than with just anyone.

Don't do evil - it will come back like a boomerang,
Don't spit in the well - you will drink the water,
Don't insult someone of lower rank
What if you have to ask for something?
Don't betray your friends, you can't replace them,
And don’t lose your loved ones - you won’t get them back,
Don't lie to yourself - you'll find out over time
That you are betraying yourself with this lie.

A plucked flower must be given as a gift, a poem that has been started must be completed, and the woman you love must be happy, otherwise you shouldn’t have taken on something that is beyond your strength.