Poem by Saadi
Read by J G Hughes
Photograph of Rosebay Willowherb on Mitcham Common by J G Hughes

Saadi was a 13th century poet and one of the greatest of the classical literary tradition. He was born in Shiraz in Iran and was known as the “Master of Speech”.

Bani Adam by Saadi
Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation of one essence and soul.
If one member is afflicted with pain,
Other members uneasy will remain.
If you've no sympathy for human pain,
The name of human you cannot retain!

Translation by M. Aryanpour

Bani Adam in Farsi
بنی آدم اعضای یک پیکرند
که در آفرينش ز یک گوهرند
چو عضوى به درد آورد روزگار
دگر عضو ها را نماند قرار
تو کز محنت دیگران بی غمی
نشاید که نامت نهند آدمی

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