Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Ajiib Rang mey Ab key Bahaar Guzrii hai

tum aaye ho na shab-e-intazaar guzarii hai
talaash men hai sahar baar baar guzarii hai

junuun men jitanii bhii guzarii bakaar guzarii hai
agarche dil pe kharaabii hazaar guzarii hai

huii hai hazarat-e-naaseh se guftaguu jis shab
vo shab zaruur sar-e-kuu-e-yaar guzarii hai

[sar-e-kuu-e-yaar = in the street of the beloved]

vo baat saare fasaane men jisakaa zikr na thaa
vo baat un ko bahut naa-gavaar guzarii hai

na gul khile hain na un se mile na mai pii hai
ajiib rang men ab ke bahaar guzarii hai

chaman men Gaarat-e-gul-chiin se jaane kyaa guzarii
qafas se aaj sabaa beqaraar guzarii hai

[Gaarat-e-gul-chiin = plunder or destruction wrought by flower-picker(gardener)]
[qafas = cage]

:Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Thales and Olives


Bertrand Russel Quoting Aristotle on Thales in his "History of Western Philosophy"

There are many legends about him, but i do not think more is known than the few facts I have mentioned.Some of the stories are pleasant, for instance, the one told by Aristotle in his
politics(1259a):

"He was reproached for his poverty, which was supposed to show that
philosophy is of no use. According to the story, he knew by his skill in the stars while it was yet winter that there would be a great harvest of olives in the coming year; so, having a little money, he gave deposits for the use of all the olive-presses in Chios and Miletus, which he hired at a low price because no one bid against him. When the harvest time came, and many were wanted all at once and of a sudden, he let them out at any rate which he pleased, and made a quantity of money. Thus he showed the world that philosophers can easily be rich if they like, but their ambition is of another sort."