The Mind

How like a door the knowledge we attain

by Abu al-Ala al-Ma'arri 973–1057

Translated by Ameen Rihani (1918) · From The Luzumiyat of Abu'l-Ala (1918)

The Mind

How like a door the knowledge we attain,
Which door is on the bourne of the Inane;
It opens and our nothingness is closed,--
It closes and in darkness we remain.

MLA

al-Ma'arri, Abu al-Ala. “How like a door the knowledge we attain.” Translated by Ameen Rihani. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/al-maarri/42/.

Chicago

al-Ma'arri, Abu al-Ala. “How like a door the knowledge we attain.” Translated by Ameen Rihani. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/al-maarri/42/.

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