Translations of Urdu couplets by Mir Taqi Mir

Sharpen the barbs of every thorn, O lunatic desert!
Perhaps another hobbler, also limping by on blistered feet, follows me!
―Mir Taqi Mir, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

My life is a bubble,
this world an illusion.
―Mir Taqi Mir, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Selflessness has gotten me nowhere:
I neglected myself far too long.
―Mir Taqi Mir, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

I know now that I know nothing,
and it only took me a lifetime to learn!
―Mir Taqi Mir, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Love's just beginning, so why do you whine?
Why not wait and watch how things unwind!
―Mir Taqi Mir, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Keywords/Tags: Translation, Urdu, couplets, Mir Taqi Mir, Meer Taqi Meer, desert, feet, life, world, illusion, selflessness, neglect, knowledge, learn, learning, love, India, Indian, mrburdu

Ich will keine Ausreden brauchen
zu bleiben oder gehen;
ich will nur die Fähigkeit haben
zu bleiben oder gehen als es mir beliebt.

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I don't want to need Excuses
to stay or go;
I just want to have the Ability
to stay or go as it pleases me.