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.
سنگ و آهن اول و پایان شرر ** لیک این هر دو تنند و جان شرر
The stone and iron are first, and the sparks last; but these twain are the body, and the sparks are the soul.
آن شرر گر در زمان واپستر است ** در صفت از سنگ و آهن برتر است
If those sparks are posterior in time, (yet) in quality they are higher than the stone and iron.
در زمان شاخ از ثمر سابقتر است ** در هنر از شاخ او فایقتر است
The bough is prior to the fruit in time, (but) it (the fruit) is superior to the bough in excellence.