In the world there is nothing absolutely bad;
Know, moreover, evil is only relative.
 Rumi, Masnavi (1273). copy citation

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Author Rumi
Source Masnavi
Topic evil world
Date 1273
Language English
Reference Masnavi, Book IV
Note Translated by Edward Henry Whinfield
Weblink https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Masnavi_I_Ma'navi/Book_IV

Context

“The lover invoked blessings on that rough patrol, Because their harshness had wrought bliss for him. They were poison to most men, but sweets to him, Because those harsh ones had united him with his love. In the world there is nothing absolutely bad; Know, moreover, evil is only relative. In the world there is neither poison nor antidote, Which is not a foot to one and a fetter to another; To one the power of moving, to another a clog; To one a poison, to another an antidote. Serpents' poison is life to serpents,” source