The quote states a clear progression: yesterday's cleverness sought to impose order upon the external world, believing that altering circumstances would bring about desired change. Today, a deeper understanding, wisdom, recognizes that the most potent and lasting transformation begins within the self.

In Sufism, this shift reflects the path of tazkiyat al-nafs, the purification of the soul. The ego (nafs) is the primary obstacle, often driven by a desire for control and recognition, which Rumi, a master of the Mevlevi Order, understood intimately. Cleverness can be a tool of the ego, seeking to manipulate the world to satisfy its own desires. Wisdom, however, emerges from the annihilation of the ego (fana), leading to a state where one's inner reality is aligned with the Divine. When the self is transformed, the perception of the world changes, and one's actions naturally become a reflection of this inner peace, rather than an attempt to force external change. The world is not changed by decree, but by the radiant example of a purified heart.

In your life: Notice when you feel the urge to fix external situations or people. Ask yourself if a shift in your own perspective or inner state might be the more effective path to peace and positive impact.