فی السماء رزقکم بشنیدهای ** اندر این پستی چه بر چفسیدهای
Thou hast heard (the text) “in the sky is your daily bread”. Wherefore hast thou stuck to this low place?
ترس و نومیدیت دان آواز غول ** میکشد گوش تو تا قعر سفول
Deem thy fear and despair to be the voice of the ghoul drawing thine ear (down) to the abyss of degradation.
هر ندایی که ترا بالا کشید ** آن ندا میدان که از بالا رسید
Every call that draws thee upward—know that that call has come from on high.
هر ندایی که ترا حرص آورد ** بانگ گرگی دان که او مردم درد
Every call that excites cupidity in thee—know that it is the howl of the wolf which tears men (to pieces).
این بلندی نیست از روی مکان ** این بلندیهاست سوی عقل و جان1960
This (afore-mentioned) height is not (high) in respect of position; these “heights” are towards (refer to) mind and spirit.
هر سبب بالاتر آمد از اثر ** سنگ و آهن فایق آمد بر شرر
Every cause is higher than the effect: the stone and iron (from which fire is struck) are superior to the sparks.
آن فلانی فوق آن سرکش نشست ** گر چه در صورت به پهلویش نشست
Such and such a person is (really) seated above that one who lifts up his head so haughtily, though in appearance he is seated beside him.
فوقی آن جاست از روی شرف ** جای دور از صدر باشد مستخف
The superiority of that (person's) place is in respect of (his spiritual) nobility; the place (that is) far from the (spiritual) seat of honour is held in slight regard.
سنگ و آهن زین جهت که سابق است ** در عمل فوقی این دو لایق است
Forasmuch as the stone and iron are prior in action, the superiority of these twain is proper;
و آن شرر از روی مقصودی خویش ** ز آهن و سنگ است زین رو پیش و بیش1965
But those sparks, in respect of their being the final cause, are from this point of view far in front of (superior to) the iron and stone.