Omar Khayyam Quotes

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

Yes, the first morning of creation wrote what the last dawn of reckoning shall read.

Dead yesterdays and unborn tomorrows, why fret about it, if today be sweet.

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.

As far as you can avoid it, do not give grief to anyone. Never inflict your rage on another. If you hope for eternal rest, feel the pain yourself; but don’t hurt others.

The Flower that once has blown forever dies.

Thy Return is as another Sun to Heaven; a new Rose blooming in the Garden of the Soul.

Algebras (jabbre and maqabeleh) are geometric facts which are proved by propositions five and six of Book two of Elements.

He who has one enemy shall meet him everywhere.

Indeed the Idols I have loved so long, have done my credit in this World much wrong; have drowned my Glory in a shallow Cup, and sold my Reputation for a Song.

To be free of belief and unbelief is my religion.

This body is a tent which for a space Does the pure soul with kingly presence grace; When he departs, comes the tent-pitcher, Death, Strikes it, and moves to a new halting-place.

Better be jocund with the fruitful Grape Than sadden after none, or bitter, Fruit.

I can’t reveal the mystery to either saint or sinner; I can’t state at length what I’ve said curtly; I achieve an altered state that I can’t explain; I have a secret that I cannot share.

The unbeliever knows his Koran best.

Fools, your reward is neither here nor there.

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.

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

Oh, the brave Music of a distant drum!

The moving finger writes; and having writ, moves on.

You've seen the world, and all you've seen is nothing; and everything, as well, that you have said and heard is nothing. You've sprinted everywhere between here and the horizon; it is nothing. And all the possessions you've treasured up at home are nothing.

I hide my grief, just like the blessed birds hide themselves when they are preparing to die, my love.

Justice is the soul of the universe.

My friend, let's not think of tomorrow, but let's enjoy this fleeting moment of life.

By Fate full many a heart has been undone, And many a sprightly rose made woe-begone; Plume thee not on thy lusty youth and strength: Full many a bud is blasted ere its bloom.

A drink is shorter than a tale

Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring The Winter Garment of Repentance fling: The Bird of Time has but a little way To fly-and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing.

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

If I don't enjoy myself now, when shall I?

I came like Water, and like Wind I go.

Dust into Dust, and under Dust to lie, Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and-sans End!

Why ponder thus the future to foresee, and jade thy brain to vain perplexity? Cast off thy care, leave Allah’s plans to him – He formed them all without consulting thee.

The Revelations of Devout and Learn'd Who rose before us, and as Prophets burn'd, Are all but Stories, which, awoke from Sleep They told their comrades, and to Sleep return'd.

I hide my distress, just likethe blessed birds hide themselveswhen they are preparing to die. Wine! Wine, roses, music and yourindifference to my sadness, my loved-one!

Heaven has not learned of my arrival, and my departure will not in the least diminish it beauty and grandeur. I will sleep underground, for us ephemeral mortals, the only eternity is the moment and drinking to the moment is better than weeping for it.

The secret must be kept from all non-people. The mystery must be hidden from all idiots.

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

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

Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate rose, and on the Throne of Saturn sate; And many a Knot unravel'd by the Road; But not the Master-knot of Human Fate.

Heaven but the vision of fulfilled desire, and Hell the shadow from a soul on fire.

Oh! My beloved! fill the cup, that clears to-day of past regrets and future fears.

And that inverted Bowl they call the Sky, Whereunder crawling cooped we live and die, Lift not your hands to It for help-for it As impotently moves as you or I

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

In monasteries, seminaries, retreats and synagogues, they fear hell and seek paradise. Those who know the mysteries of God never let that seed be planted in their souls.

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.

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 when you came, nor why; Drink! for you know not why you go, nor where.

Alas, that Spring should vanish with the Rose! That Youths sweet-scented Manuscript should close!