# LXXIX explained — The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

> Chapter companion for The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám by Omar Khayyám.

## What happens

The speaker questions the fairness of a divine transaction, where a helpless creature is expected to repay pure gold for dross, and is sued for a debt never contracted, lamenting the sorry trade.

## Themes in this chapter

### Skepticism and Doubt

The chapter questions the fairness and logic of divine justice, expressing doubt about the moral contract between creator and creature.

### The Quest for Meaning

The speaker grapples with the existential injustice of being held accountable for a debt never contracted, seeking meaning in an unfair cosmic arrangement.

## Key lines

> What! from his helpless Creature be repaid Pure Gold for what he lent him dross-allay'd— Sue for a Debt he never did contract, And cannot answer—Oh, the sorry trade!

What! Expect a helpless creature to repay pure gold for what was lent as impure dross—to sue for a debt he never agreed to and cannot pay—what a wretched bargain!

_The speaker criticizes the unfairness of divine expectation and judgment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/lxxix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters