Couplets › Leadership
From Bang-e-Dra, 1924 · originally composed in Urdu
Nasha pila ke girana to sab ko aata hai
Maza to jab hai ki girton ko thaam le saqi
Maza to jab hai ki girton ko thaam le saqi
“Anyone can pour the wine and let people fall — the real worth is when the cup-bearer catches those who are falling.”
Romanहिन्दी
नशा पिला के गिराना तो सब को आता है
मज़ा तो जब है कि गिरतों को थाम ले साक़ी
मज़ा तो जब है कि गिरतों को थाम ले साक़ी
The couplet in Devanagari — it carries the authenticity of the original, and every Hindi reader can read it.
♪ Hear the coupletA recitation in a synthesized voice.
The Interpretation
Iqbal turns the familiar tavern image into a lesson on leadership. It takes no skill to intoxicate people and watch them stumble; the cup-bearer who matters is the one who steadies the falling. True authority is measured by who you hold up, not who you bring down.
For You, Today
It is easy to point out where others are slipping. The harder, finer thing — and the real test of anyone who leads — is to be the steady hand that catches them before they hit the ground.
In the same spirit
Amal se zindagi banti hai jannat bhi jahannum bhi
Ye khaki apni fitrat mein na noori hai na naari hai
Ye khaki apni fitrat mein na noori hai na naari hai
By our deeds we make life a heaven or a hell. This creature of dust is, by nature, neither angel of light nor demon of fire.
Action · Courage
Sabak phir parh sadaqat ka, adalat ka, shujaat ka
Liya jaega tujhse kaam duniya ki imamat ka
Liya jaega tujhse kaam duniya ki imamat ka
Learn once more the lesson of truth, of justice, of courage — for you will be called upon to lead the world.
Leadership · Courage
Dayar-e-ishq mein apna maqam paida kar
Naya zamana, naye subh-o-sham paida kar
Naya zamana, naye subh-o-sham paida kar
In the realm of love, create your own standing — bring a new age into being, new mornings and new evenings of your own.
Aspiration · Action · Love