Wealth has no permanence

Wealth has no permanence: it comes in the morning, and at night it is scattered to the winds. Physical beauty too has no importance, for a rosy face is made pale by the scratch of a single thorn. Noble birth also is of small account, for many become fools of money and horses. Many a nobleman’s son has disgraced his father by his wicked deeds. Don’t court a person full of talent either, even if he seems exquisite in that respect: take warning from the example of Iblis1 . Iblis had knowledge, but since his love was not pure, he saw in Adam nothing but a figure of clay.

Masnavi of Rumi