# LXXXIV explained — The Luzumiyat

> Chapter companion for The Luzumiyat by Abu al-ʻAlaʼ al-Maʻarri.

## What happens

The speaker reflects on the futility of learning, describing it as a veil that conceals the truth of one's own nothingness. Despite this, he acknowledges that some consider him wise, and he blesses even those who hold a lesser opinion of him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Illusion and Reality

Learning is described as a veil that obscures the reality of the speaker's nothingness, highlighting the theme of illusion versus reality.

### Doubt and Skepticism

The speaker doubts the value of his own learning, suggesting that it merely masks a deeper emptiness.

## Character check-ins

### Abu al-ʻAlaʼ al-Maʻarri

The speaker of the quatrain, reflecting on the veil of learning and his own perceived wisdom.

## Key lines

> For all my learning ’s but a veil, I guess, Veiling the phantom of my nothingness;

I suspect that all my knowledge is just a cover, hiding the illusion of my own insignificance.

_The speaker questions the substance of his learning, framing it as a deceptive layer over his true emptiness._

> Howbeit, there are those who think me wise, And those who think me⁠—even these I bless.

Nevertheless, some people consider me wise, and even those who think less of me—I still bless them.

_The speaker acknowledges the varied opinions others hold of him, yet responds with gratitude toward all._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se/chapters/lxxxiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se/chapters