In Chapter 20, Poem 28 of Attar's Mokhtar Nameh, a central theme is the tension between profound internal spiritual experience and outward appearances. The speaker compares themselves to a surging ocean, driven by the yearning for the soul's secret, yet insists on concealing this profound reality not only from others but even from themselves. This radical concealment is necessary to avoid the trap of spiritual pride and ego-attachment to one's own spiritual station.

Furthermore, the poem contrasts hypocritical piety ('dregs with a clear face') with true spiritual sincerity. The speaker embraces the state of being 'clear-hearted' inwardly, even if outwardly they appear blameworthy or spiritually intoxicated ('drinking the dregs'). This highlights the Sufi ideal of Malamatiyya—incurring outward blame or adopting an unassuming exterior to preserve absolute inner purity and sincerity before the Divine.