“ادب” in the Masnavi

The king himself, in place of his chamberlains, stepped forward to welcome his guest from the unseen.

'O you who are to me like Prophet Muhammad, while I am like Umar; for your service I gird my loins in devotion.'

We seek from God the grace of good manners, for he who lacks good manners is deprived of the Lord's favour.

The person without good manners harms not only himself but also sets the whole world ablaze.

A heavenly table of food was descending from heaven, without any need for buying, selling, or bargaining.

Among the people of Moses, a few spoke rudely, saying, 'Where are the garlic and lentils?'

Then the table of food and bread from heaven ceased to descend, leaving us with only the toil of sowing and working with spade and sickle.

Once again, when Jesus interceded before God, God sent down a table laden with food and abundant bounty on trays.

Once again, the insolent ones abandoned all courtesy, and like beggars, snatched away the leftovers to hoard.

Jesus implored them, saying, 'This is everlasting and will never diminish from the earth.'

Harbouring suspicion and giving in to greed at the table of Majesty is itself ingratitude and disbelief.

Because of the greed and beggar-like nature of those impudent wretches, that gate of divine mercy was closed upon them.

Because of withholding obligatory almsgiving (zakat), rain clouds fail to rise; and because of adultery, plague spreads in all directions.

Whatever darkness and sorrow befall you, they arise from your own recklessness and insolence.

Whoever behaves recklessly on the path of Love becomes a highwayman to true men of that path and is himself no man.

Through discipline and respect, this heaven has become full of light, and through discipline and respect, the angels have become pure and sinless.

Because of insolence, the sun suffers an eclipse, and through recklessness, Azazil (Satan) was turned back from the door.

Look closely upon the face of each and keep watch, so that through devoted service to them you may come to know the face (of human devils from human saints).