Fool lives to eat and a wise man eats to live

They say that a fool lives to eat and a wise man eats to live. But then the question remains: for what purpose does the wise man live? Living is not an end by itself. There has to be a purpose for man to live for. So what is this purpose?

An Arab Poet, Elya Abu Madhi (a born-Christian), not long ago expressed his uncertainty about the purpose of life in his Arabic poem Al-Talasim, meaning “puzzles,” which Is translated into English. He says in his poem:



I came not knowing from where, but I came.
And I saw a pathway in front of me, so I walked.
And I will remain walking, whether I want this or not.
How did I come? How did I see my pathway?
I do not know!
Am I new or am I old in this existence?
Am I free and unrestrained, or do I walk in chains?
Do I lead myself in my life, or am I being led?
I wish I know, but…
I do not know!
And my path, oh what is my path? Is it long or is it short?
Am I ascending in it, or am I going down and sinking?
Am I the one who is walking on the road,
or is it the road that is moving?
Or are we both standing, but it is the time that is running?
I do not know!
Before I became a full human, do you see
if I were nothing, impossible? Or do you see that I was something?
Is there an answer to this puzzle, or will it remain eternal?
I do not know ... and why do I not know??
I do not know!

Comments

Kay said…
Hey! I know that road! :) Love the post
well i love to eat, and at times i do live to eat as well, i guess i may be fool. but who cares.
This poem however is one of the best i have ever read.
btw, i had one post on sloth and gluttony.
Escapist said…
@ Zapata !

oh so nice f yuh !
Wil surely go thru that !

N evn im among fools....



jooliiies:-)
JennyMac said…
What a great post!
Fitter After 50 said…
Thank you for visiting my blog and encouraging my Blue Tiger.
Syed said…
What a beautiful poem. I often feel that we have to find our own reasons to live in life, but that the most powerful reason is usually for love. Whether that be love for someone, some people or some thing, it is probably the strongest reason.
All Is Whole said…
Well, this question has been talked about many times and i am now try to refrain myself from finding the answer to this question....

Purpose of life is to share and care and move forward with what you have

Smiles :)

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