Masnavi II, 3071-79
Someone says, "I can't help feeding my family.
I have to work so hard to earn a living."
He can do without God, but not without food;
he can do without Religion,
but not without idols.
Where is one who'll say,
"If I eat bread without awareness of God,
I will choke."
Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance
Threshold Books, 1996
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski from
Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahyá Monastra
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