--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Muhammad once was talking to a crowd of…" description: "\"“Muhammad once was talking to a crowd of chieftains, princes with great influence, when a poor blind man interrupted him. Muhammad frowned and said to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff6/rumi-56_blind-man_muhammad-once-was-talking-to-a-crowd-of_1729368.jpg" --- # Muhammad once was talking to a crowd of chieftains… ![“Muhammad once was talking to a crowd of chieftains, princes with great influence, when a poor blind man interrupted him. Muhammad frowned and said to the man, "Let me attend to these visitors. This is a rare chance, whereas you are already my friend. We'll have ample time." Then somebody nearby…” quote by Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff6/rumi-56_blind-man_muhammad-once-was-talking-to-a-crowd-of_1729368.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff6/rumi-56_blind-man_muhammad-once-was-talking-to-a-crowd-of_1729368.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff6/rumi-56_blind-man_muhammad-once-was-talking-to-a-crowd-of_1729368.jpg) > ““Muhammad once was talking to a crowd of chieftains, princes with great influence, when a poor blind man interrupted him. Muhammad frowned and said to the man, "Let me attend to these visitors. This is a rare chance, whereas you are already my friend. We'll have ample time." Then somebody nearby said, "That blind man may be worth a hundred kings. Remember the proverb, Human beings are mines." World-power means nothing. Only the unsayable, jeweled inner life matters. Muhammad replied, "Do not think that I'm concerned with being acknowledged by these authorities. If a beetle moves toward rosewater, it proves that the solution is diluted. Beetles love dung, not rose essence. If a coin is eager to be tested by the touchstone, that coin itself may be a touchstone. A thief loves the night. I am day. I reveal essences. A calf thinks God is a cow. A donkey's theology changes when someone new pets it and gives it what it wants. I am not a cow, or thistles for camels to browse on. People who insult me are only polishing the mirror”” [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The story illustrates that true value lies in inner depth, not external power; humility and insight outweigh worldly status. **In simple terms:** Inner worth beats external power. Key Takeaway Seek inner truth over status. Themes humility inner life power wisdom perception Mood contemplative inspirational Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - personal growth - leadership - conflict resolution Key Concepts spiritual insight humility value of inner self Questions to Reflect On - What inner qualities do you cherish? - How do you balance humility with ambition? A Different Perspective Inner depth may be overlooked by those focused on status. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blind man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blind-man/) [Inner life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inner-life/) [Matters Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matters-muhammad-1416469/) [Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muhammad/) [Muhammad Replied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muhammad-replied-1416468/) [Muhammad Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muhammad-talking-1416470/) [Proverb Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proverb-human-1416471/) ## Related quotes > [“Assist your Muslim brother, whether he be an oppressor or oppressed. 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Your real 'country' is where you're heading,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/muhammad-says-love-of-one-s-country-is-a-part-of-the-faith-but-don-t/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [“ONE WHO WRAPS HIMSELF God called the Prophet Muhammad Muzzammil, "The One Who Wraps Himself," and said, "Come out from under your cloak, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/one-who-wraps-himself-god-called-the-prophet-muhammad-muzzammil-the/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [A blind man walks into a bar...and a table...and a chair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-blind-man-walks-into-a-bar-and-a-table-and-a-chair/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Mostly, I straddle reality and the imagination. My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket. My imagination needs reality like a blind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-waits/mostly-i-straddle-reality-and-the-imagination-my-reality-needs/) [Tom Waits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-waits/) > [“Then he picks up the first book and holds it so Peter can read the title. I Hadn’t Meant to Tell You This Peter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/then-he-picks-up-the-first-book-and-holds-it-so-peter-can-read-the/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [A blind man can see his mouth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-blind-man-can-see-his-mouth/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ “The object \[Duchamp's Fountain\] was rejected , giving Duchamp the opportunity of issuing a statement, which he published in a review, The Blind Man.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neville-weston/the-object-duchamp-s-fountain-was-rejected-giving-duchamp-the/) [Neville Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neville-weston/) > [“Once, I sang colors to a blind man. Seven hours I played, but at the end he said he saw them, green and red…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/once-i-sang-colors-to-a-blind-man-seven-hours-i-played-but-at-the-end/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [Ma'am," Augustus said, nodding toward her, "Your daughter's car has just been deservingly egged by a blind man. Please close the door and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/ma-am-augustus-said-nodding-toward-her-your-daughter-s-car-has-just/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [If my GoD is a DoG then I'm a Blind man because he's steal leading me to safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ntando-aka-punchlinelord/if-my-god-is-a-dog-then-i-m-a-blind-man-because-he-s-steal-leading-me/) [Ntando Aka @PunchlineLord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ntando-aka-punchlinelord/) > [“People had always amazed him, he began. But they amazed him more since the sickness. For as long as the two of them had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wally-lamb/people-had-always-amazed-him-he-began-but-they-amazed-him-more-since/) [Wally Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wally-lamb/) > [“And the blind man said to the deaf man, "Do you see what I hear?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-gerard-trotman/and-the-blind-man-said-to-the-deaf-man-do-you-see-what-i-hear/) [Wayne Gerard Trotman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-gerard-trotman/) > [He looked at her... like a Blind Man seeing the Sun for the very First Time...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-looked-at-her-like-a-blind-man-seeing-the-sun-for-the-very-first/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Rumi > [The love religion is all that is written here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/the-love-religion-is-all-that-is-written-here/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [And so it is, that both the Devil and the angelic Spirit present us with objects of desire to awaken our power of choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/and-so-it-is-that-both-the-devil-and-the-angelic-spirit-present-us/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [We began as mineral. We emerged into plant life, and into the animal state, and then into being human, and always we have forgotten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/we-began-as-mineral-we-emerged-into-plant-life-and-into-the-animal/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [There is a morning inside you waiting to burst open into light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/there-is-a-morning-inside-you-waiting-to-burst-open-into-light/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [Sometimes you hear a voice through the door calling you... This turning toward what you deeply love saves you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/sometimes-you-hear-a-voice-through-the-door-calling-you-this-turning/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [“You’ve so distracted me, your absence fans my love. Don’t ask how. Then you come near. “Do not…” I say, and “Do not…,” you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/you-ve-so-distracted-me-your-absence-fans-my-love-don-t-ask-how-then/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [There is something to be said for anyone who sits alone with dignity and silently begs for God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/there-is-something-to-be-said-for-anyone-who-sits-alone-with-dignity/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [Tis easy to break an idol, very easy: to regard the self as easy to subdue is folly, folly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/tis-easy-to-break-an-idol-very-easy-to-regard-the-self-as-easy-to/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [Today, let us swim wildly, joyously in gratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/today-let-us-swim-wildly-joyously-in-gratitude/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [I have no name for what circles so perfectly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/i-have-no-name-for-what-circles-so-perfectly/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [What draws friends together does not conform to the laws of nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/what-draws-friends-together-does-not-conform-to-the-laws-of-nature/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [We are born of love. Love is our mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/we-are-born-of-love-love-is-our-mother/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [Water, stories, the body, all the things we do, are mediums that hid and show what's hidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/water-stories-the-body-all-the-things-we-do-are-mediums-that-hid-and/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [If your heart isn't yet illumined Be awake always, be a seeker of the heart, Be at war continually with your carnal soul. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/if-your-heart-isn-t-yet-illumined-be-awake-always-be-a-seeker-of-the/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [“I came back to You because I could not find the kind and decent things I found in You anywhere else.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/i-came-back-to-you-because-i-could-not-find-the-kind-and-decent/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) [Explore all 1,818 Rumi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) ## More Blind man quotes > [He looked at her... like a Blind Man seeing the Sun for the very First Time...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-looked-at-her-like-a-blind-man-seeing-the-sun-for-the-very-first/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“And the blind man said to the deaf man, "Do you see what I hear?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-gerard-trotman/and-the-blind-man-said-to-the-deaf-man-do-you-see-what-i-hear/) [Wayne Gerard Trotman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-gerard-trotman/) > [“People had always amazed him, he began. But they amazed him more since the sickness. For as long as the two of them had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wally-lamb/people-had-always-amazed-him-he-began-but-they-amazed-him-more-since/) [Wally Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wally-lamb/) > [If my GoD is a DoG then I'm a Blind man because he's steal leading me to safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ntando-aka-punchlinelord/if-my-god-is-a-dog-then-i-m-a-blind-man-because-he-s-steal-leading-me/) [Ntando Aka @PunchlineLord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ntando-aka-punchlinelord/) > [Ma'am," Augustus said, nodding toward her, "Your daughter's car has just been deservingly egged by a blind man. Please close the door and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/ma-am-augustus-said-nodding-toward-her-your-daughter-s-car-has-just/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Once, I sang colors to a blind man. Seven hours I played, but at the end he said he saw them, green and red…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/once-i-sang-colors-to-a-blind-man-seven-hours-i-played-but-at-the-end/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [ “The object \[Duchamp's Fountain\] was rejected , giving Duchamp the opportunity of issuing a statement, which he published in a review, The Blind Man.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neville-weston/the-object-duchamp-s-fountain-was-rejected-giving-duchamp-the/) [Neville Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neville-weston/) > [A blind man can see his mouth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-blind-man-can-see-his-mouth/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Then he picks up the first book and holds it so Peter can read the title. I Hadn’t Meant to Tell You This Peter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/then-he-picks-up-the-first-book-and-holds-it-so-peter-can-read-the/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [Mostly, I straddle reality and the imagination. My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket. My imagination needs reality like a blind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-waits/mostly-i-straddle-reality-and-the-imagination-my-reality-needs/) [Tom Waits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-waits/) > [A blind man walks into a bar...and a table...and a chair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-blind-man-walks-into-a-bar-and-a-table-and-a-chair/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What's the condition of America like, spiritually, tonight? Zero. Why? Because we've got blind men coming out of seminaries. Men there don't teach them;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-ravenhill/what-s-the-condition-of-america-like-spiritually-tonight-zero-why/) [Leonard Ravenhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-ravenhill/) > [A new civilization is emerging in our lives, and blind men everywhere are trying to suppress it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-toffler/a-new-civilization-is-emerging-in-our-lives-and-blind-men-everywhere/) [Alvin Toffler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-toffler/) > [If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit. (Matthew 15:14)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/if-a-blind-man-leads-a-blind-man-both-will-fall-into-a-pit-matthew-15/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [A statesman who confines himself to popular legislation - or, for the matter of that, a playwright who confines himself to popular plays -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/a-statesman-who-confines-himself-to-popular-legislation-or-for-the/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) [Browse all 295 Blind man quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blind-man/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Muhammad once was talking to a crowd of chieftains, princes with great influence, when a poor blind man interrupted him. Muhammad frowned and said to the man, \"Let me attend to these visitors. This is a rare chance, whereas you are already my friend. We'll have ample time.\" Then somebody nearby said, \"That blind man may be worth a hundred kings. Remember the proverb, Human beings are mines.\" World-power means nothing. Only the unsayable, jeweled inner life matters. Muhammad replied, \"Do not think that I'm concerned with being acknowledged by these authorities. If a beetle moves toward rosewater, it proves that the solution is diluted. Beetles love dung, not rose essence. If a coin is eager to be tested by the touchstone, that coin itself may be a touchstone. A thief loves the night. I am day. I reveal essences. A calf thinks God is a cow. A donkey's theology changes when someone new pets it and gives it what it wants. I am not a cow, or thistles for camels to browse on. 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