His quotes often speak on love, the human experience, spirituality, the divine, and enlightenment. The translations of his work are highly relatable for many readers, as well, utilizing relatively simple language that, in Rumi’s classic style, gets to the heart of many readers’ feelings and desires.
One should focus on understanding oneself to find love.
Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.
In this quote, Rumi emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in one’s quest for love. Rumi points out that the biggest impediment people face when looking for love is often the barriers and defenses we erect inside ourselves. Love is not found but allowed to flourish.
Our deepest struggles are where we gain enlightenment.
The wound is the place where the Light enters you.
This quote implies that our deepest hurts are often the points where we gain the most. They are gateways to greater understanding and enlightenment. This perspective from Rumi reframes one’s understanding of suffering as something that’s a catalyst for personal growth.
Mature wisdom is more important than youthful ambition.
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.
In these lines, Rumi indicates that knowing oneself and trying to improve oneself is of the utmost importance. It’s also far more achievable than the vast goal of trying to “change the world.” This connects to the idea that in order to make an impact on other people, one has to understand themselves.
What’s lost will return.
There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.
In these lines, Rumi offers a comforting perspective on loss. When something is lost, he indicates that it comes back around as something else. This emphasizes a belief in the continuous and ever-changing flow of life. Endings are beginnings, this quote suggests.
Love is not about finding someone new but realizing a connection.
The minute I heard my first love story,
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.
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They’re in each other all along.
In these lines, Rumi speaks about the soul’s desire to find its counterpart. He depicts love as a predestined force, one that exists beyond the traditional portrayal of love. This idea transcends the conventional notion of love as something one finds.
Live your own life and make your own story.
Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.
In this quote, Rumi reminds readers that one’s own story is of the highest importance. One needs to take the time to foster their own story and manage their own growth. He emphasizes how important it is not just to passively listen to other people’s stories but to craft one’s own journey.
Engaging in activities that move you can bring profound happiness.
When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.
In this quote, the speaker compares joy from engaging with something you care about to a river flowing within you. The speaker says that finding and doing what truly moves you is important to maintaining one’s soul.
Embrace risk and challenge societal norms.
Forget safety.
Live where you fear to live.
Destroy your reputation.
Be notorious.
In these four lines, the speaker calls readers to engage in bold action and nonconformity. He encourages them to step outside their comfort zones and challenge other people’s expectations. The quote is about daring to live authentically, even if this means facing fears and disrupting one’s image of oneself.
Effective communication comes from thoughtful words.
Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.
Being loud or aggressive does not accomplish what one often thinks it does. In these lines, Rumi compares rain to soft, effective communication that grows flowers and thunder to aggression that does nothing but spark fear.
A deep sense of spiritual belonging.
My soul is from elsewhere, I’m sure of that, and I intend to end up there.
This quote reminds readers that everyone has somewhere they belong. Rumi is determined to “end up there” in the end. This requires seeking and understanding oneself completely.
True understanding and connection lie beyond words.
silence is the language of god,
all else is poor translation.
Silence, this quote indicates, is often the best way to find truth. The essence of life is discovered not in speech but in silent contemplation. The former is compared to a “poor translation” of the world.
The importance of finding inspiration through the impact of love.
In your light I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems. You dance inside my chest where no-one sees you, but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art.
In this slightly longer quote, Rumi writes about the transformative power of love. It’s possible to use the inspiration of love to write and create. These deeply personal and intimate connections are highly important.
Embrace the wonder and mystery of life.
Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.
In this quote, Rumi advises readers to let go of intellectual pride and instead embrace being surprised and bewildered. It’s far more satisfying to be surprised by life than to believe one knows everything about everyone.
Love is profound and predestined.
Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.
In these lines, the speaker indicates that lovers are always with one another. They never “meet somewhere”. They are always “in each other all along.” This romantic depiction of love is meant to remind readers of the importance and beauty of a true connection.
Within failure, there are opportunities to grow.
Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure.
In this line, the speaker offers an inspiring perspective on resilience. The poet suggests that in the midst of ruin or destruction, there is the potential to find something valuable or the chance to have a new start.
Love transcends physical presence.
Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.
In these lines, Rumi addresses the nature of love. He contrasts physical love with a deeper spiritual love. For those who love with only their eyes, they’ll never have a true connection.
Follow the pull of what you love.
Let yourself be drawn by the stronger pull of that which you truly love.
In this quote, Rumi addresses how important it is to follow one’s deepest passions. If one is able to do this, they’ll have a far more satisfying and fulfilling life than they would otherwise.
FAQs
Who is Rumi?
Rumi was born Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī in the 13th century. He was a Persian poet and scholar whose influence has spanned far beyond his native country. His poems are read around the world today.
Why is Rumi important?
Rumi is regarded as one of the greatest poets of all time. His poetry combines mysticism with philosophy and spirituality. His major work is the ‘Masnavi.’ His work explores highly relatable themes, like love and the human experience.
What is Rumi’s style of writing?
Rumi’s writing style combines metaphors and symbols with spiritual concepts. He often references concepts like “love” and uses symbols to speak about the human soul’s yearning for understanding.
What is a Rumi quote about love?
An important Rumi quote about love: “Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. / They’re in each other all along.”
