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ORIGINAL CALLIGRAPHY DESIGN BY STEWART J. THOMAS | VIEW NEXT

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A calligraphed version of the famous Persian poem by Sa’adi. Although it was written 8 centuries ago, its essence speaks more importantly than ever. The lines of this poem adorn the entrance to the Hall of Nations at the United Nations building in New York.

Translations are but a pale mirror to the original, but for those who cannot read Persian they must suffice:

Here is a translation of the poem:

The children of Adam are limbs to each other,
having been created of one essence and soul,
If one member is afflicted with pain,
The other members uneasy remain.
If you have no sympathy for human pain,
The title ‘human’ you cannot claim.

Another translation:

The sons of Adam are limbs of each other, Having been created of one essence.
When the calamity of time affects one limb The other limbs cannot remain at rest.
If thou hast no sympathy for the troubles of others
Thou art unworthy to be called by the name of a human.

And another:

Of One Essence is the Human Race,
Thusly has Creation put the Base.
One Limb impacted is sufficient,
For all Others to feel the Mace.
The Unconcern'd with Others' Plight,
Are but Brutes with Human Face.
Calligraphic work copyright © Stewart J. Thomas
The Arabic Script is the basis for one of the richest calligraphic artistic traditions in the world.
The script is used in various forms to write Arabic, Persian (Farsi), Urdu, and several other languages.
Historical forms, such as kufic, maghrebi, diwani, tuluth, nasta'liq, shekasteh are joined by a flourishing
vocabulary of contemporary forms. Calligraphy commissions are welcomed for a wide range of uses, from
body art to marriage certificates. To learn more, CLICK HERE