"Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I have begun to change myself." - Rumi (1207-1273)
"We must become the change we wish to see in the world." - Gandhi (1869-1948)
While reading recently, I stumbled across Rumi's words, immediately recognizing the link to a favorite Gandhi aphorism I've often quoted. Though I initially felt deceived by the obvious similarities between Rumi's 13th century observation and Gandhi's words more than five-hundred years later, that feeling quickly shifted to relief. It comforted me knowing that a thinker I admire had borrowed - consciously or unconsciously - from a thinker he might have admired.
Through eleven years and nearly 2100 posts, I've tried hard to acknowledge anytime I borrow from someone else. But given how much I read, it would be naive of me to think there have been no instances when some idea I've presented here has been more someone else's than it has been mine. If any of you have ever noticed an instance like this, or you do so in the future, please recall Gandhi's debt to Rumi and forgive me.
Good morning, Pat. Not sure if this counts, but I've always been a fan of quoting lines from favorite movies, giving full credit of course. Probably not what you're looking for in the way of a comment or response, but this is what came to my mind as I was reading this post. If nothing else, you've struck a chord.
ReplyDeleteBe well,
Bob
"Anonymous" Bob; I do that same thing of quoting lines from movies - another thing we have in common. When we next have a chance to speak face-to-face, I'll try to remember to tell you an anecdote you might enjoy about that tendency of ours and how I once tried to make hay with it. And of course, whenever I "...strike a chord..." in any reader it makes both the writer and the musician in me quite happy.
Delete