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Al Maari. 11th century Syria
An Atheist a Vegan a
philosopher and Poet who lived in 11th. Century Aleppo Syria ,
His name was Al Maari.
The following are a
small sample from. His poetry.
If an insolent man
thrusts a sword of speech against you,
Oppose him with your
patience, so you may break its edge.
Victory
If time aids
thee to victory,
he will aid
Thy foe anon to take a
full revenge.
On abstaining from
meat
You are diseased in understanding and religion.
Come to me, that you
may hear something of sound truth.
Do not unjustly eat
fish the water has given up,
And do not desire as
food the flesh of slaughtered animals,
Or the white milk of
mothers who intended its pure draught
for their young, not
noble ladies.
And do not grieve the
unsuspecting birds by taking eggs;
for injustice is the
worst of crimes.
And spare the honey
which the bees get industriously
from the flowers of
fragrant plants;
For they did not store
it that it might belong to others,
Nor did they gather it
for bounty and gifts.
I washed my hands of
all this; and wish that I
Perceived my way
before my hair went gray!
Soften your tread. Methinks the earth's surface is but
bodies of the dead,
Walk slowly in the air, so you do not trample on the
remains of all who trod before thee!
