In general the nearness of both of them is evidence for a...

In general the nearness of both of them is evidence for a kind of similarity and general resemblance between them. In the second book of Rumi's Mathnavi there is a fine story which illustrates this. A wise man saw a raven that had formed affection for a stork. They perched together and flew together! Two birds of two different species: the raven had no similarity either in shape or in colour with the stork. The wise man was amazed that they were together.

He went close and examined them and discovered that both of them had only one leg. That wise man said: "I saw companionship Between a raven and a stork. Amazed I was, and examined their condition To see what sign of commonality I could find. So up I crept, and, to and behold! I saw that both of them were lame. " This one-legged situation brought fellowship to two species of animal which were alien to each other.

Human beings, too, will never become friends and companions with each other without some reason, just as they will never be enemies without a cause. According to some, the root of these attractions and repulsions is need, and the elimination of need. They say that man is a creature who is in need, and that he is created essentially in want.

He endeavours by his own relentless activity to fill his emptiness and to supply his necessities, but this is impossible unless he joins with an ally and severs his linking relationship with society, so that he can take advantage from his ally by this means and protect himself from damage from some other group. And we will not find any inclination or aversion in man unless it springs from his instinct for taking advantage.

According to this theory, the experiences of life and the structure of his primordial nature have brought man up to be attracted and repelled, so that he is enthusiastic about what he reckons is good in life, and keeps away from himself what does not conform with his aims, but is unresponsive when faced by what is neither of these, is that which neither holds out any benefit for him nor is detrimental.

In fact, attraction and repulsion are two fundamental pillars of the life of man, and to whatever degree these are reduced, disorder takes the place of order in his life. In the end the one who has the power to fill up the vacuums attracts others to himself, and the one who not only does not fill up these vacuums but rather adds to the vacuums drives people away from himself, and likewise with those who do neither.