14 Life Changing Rumi Quotes That Will Help You Follow Your Dreams and Inspire Yourself. The 13th century poet, wealthy nobleman and Sufi master Rumi has a legion of loyal readers and is the best selling poet in the United States. Although he was born in 1207, over 800 years ago, his life and travels spanned over 2,500 miles from what is now Tajikistan to Uzbekistan to Iran to Syria to Turkey. Rumi is a poet of inner self, inspiration, passion, love and joy. Here are 14 life changing Rumi quotes that will motivate you to follow your dreams and inspire yourself. “Set your life on fire. Seek those who can fan your flames.“ “I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think.” “Let yourself be drawn by the stronger pull of that which you truly love. It will not lead you astray.” “You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” “Why are you so enchanted by this world, when a mine of gold lies within you?” “You were born with wings, why prefer to crawl through life?” “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” “Run from what’s comfortable. Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious. “ “Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open?” “What you seek is seeking you.” “Yesterday is gone and its tale told. Today new seeds are growing.” “Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure.” “Everything in the universe is within you. Ask all from yourself.” “Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.” Fun Fact #1: He’s known by several names: Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī (Persian: جلالالدین محمد رومی), as well as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī (جلالالدین محمد بلخى), Mawlānā/Mevlânâ (مولانا, “our master”), Mevlevî/Mawlawī (مولوی, “my master”), and finally, most popularly as Rumi (1207 – 17 December 1273). Fun Fact #2: Madonna is a huge fan. Fun Fact #3: A special whirling dervish ceremony takes place at Rumi’s tomb in Turkey every year on 17 December, the anniversary of his death.