The Shame of Righteousness

"It is a shame for anyone
to be well-known for righteousness.
It is a great disgrace to feel
distress at the injustice of
the turning of the wheels of fate.
To get drunk on the nose of a
fine vintage born of luscious grapes
is better than to be renowned
to be a self-denying prude."

--- ">Rubaiyat / Omar Khayyam (Translated by Juan Cole)


Original translation:

"'Tis well in reputation to abide,
'Tis shameful against heaven to rail and chide;
Still, head had better ache with over-drink,
Than be puffed up with Pharisaic pride!"

Something does get lost in the shorter translation...