oroshana's Journal: Sa'adi

The following poem is the motto on the entrance of the United Nations building. It was written by the persian poet Sa'adi Shirazi (Musharrif od-Din Muslih od-Din) circa 1257 AD.

Poetic translation:

Of one Essence is the human race,
Thusly has Creation put the Base;
One Limb impacted is sufficient,
For all Others to feel the Mace.

Literal translation:

The Children of Adam are limbs of each other
Having been created of one essence.
When the calamity of time afflicts one limb
The other limbs cannot remain at rest.
If thou hast no sympathy for the troubles of others
Thou art unworthy to be called by the name of a man.

Transliteration:

bani aadam a'zaaye yekdigarand
ke dar aafarinesh ze yek goharand.
cho ozwi bedard aavarad roozgaar
degar ozvha-ra namaanad gharar.
to kaz mehnate digaraan bi ghami
nashaayad ke naamat nahand aadami.