آن چه گوید نفس تو کاینجا بد است ** مشنوش چون کار او ضد آمده ست
Do not listen to what thy fleshly soul says, that this place (of self-mortification) is bad, inasmuch as her doings are contrary (to thy spiritual advancement).
تو خلافش کن که از پیغمبران ** این چنین آمد وصیت در جهان
Do thou oppose her, for such (is the) injunction (that) has come from the prophets in the world.
مشورت در کارها واجب شود ** تا پشیمانی در آخر کم بود
It becomes necessary to take counsel concerning things to be done, so that there may not be repentance in the end.
گفت امت مشورت با کی کنیم ** انبیا گفتند با عقل امیم
The community said, “With whom shall we take counsel?” The prophets answered, “With intellect, (which is) the Imám (leader).”
گفت گر کودک در آید یا زنی ** کاو ندارد عقل و رای روشنی2270
He (the questioner) said, “(But) if a child should come in, or a woman who has no clear understanding or judgement.”
گفت با او مشورت کن و انچه گفت ** تو خلاف آن کن و در راه افت
“Take counsel with her,” said he (the prophet), “and do the contrary of what she bids (thee), and go thy way.”
نفس خود را زن شناس از زن بتر ** ز انکه زن جزوی است نفست کل شر
Know that your fleshly soul is woman and worse than woman, because woman is a part (of evil), but your fleshly soul is evil entire.
مشورت با نفس خود گر میکنی ** هر چه گوید کن خلاف آن دنی
If you take counsel with your fleshly soul, oppose that vile one (in) whatsoever she may say.
گر نماز و روزه میفرمایدت ** نفس مکار است مکری زایدت
If she bid you pray and fast-the fleshly soul is a great plotter, she will bring some plot against you to birth.
مشورت با نفس خویش اندر فعال ** هر چه گوید عکس آن باشد کمال2275
(When you take) counsel with your fleshly soul concerning (your) actions––whatsoever she tells (you to do), the reverse of that is perfectly right.