By Krishna Bihari 'Noor'
chahe sone ke frame mein jad do
aaina jhut bolta hi nahin
aaina jhut bolta hi nahin
“Set it in a frame of gold if you wish — the mirror simply does not lie.”
Romanहिन्दीKrishna Bihari 'Noor'
चाहे सोने के फ़्रेम में जड़ दो
आइना झूट बोलता ही नहीं
आइना झूट बोलता ही नहीं
The verse 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
The couplet pits ornament against truth — gild the mirror however richly you like, and still it will not flatter you. The gold frame is the bribe the world offers; the mirror's plain refusal makes honesty something that cannot be bought or dressed up.
For You, Today
Surrounding an unwelcome truth with luxury or praise will not change it — value the things in your life that refuse to lie.
One of Noor's most quoted mirror verses, prized for making integrity feel as simple and stubborn as glass.
Themes:WisdomThe Self
More from Krishna Bihari 'Noor'
The heart of this site stays with Iqbal: explore his couplets → Or browse the whole Other Voices shelf →