صد حکایت بشنود مدهوش حرص ** در نیاید نکتهای در گوش حرص
The man dazed by greed may hear a hundred stories, (but) not a single point comes into the ear of greed.
تعریف کردن منادیان قاضی مفلسی را گرد شهر
How the criers of the Cadi advertised an insolvent round the town.
بود شخصی مفلسی بیخان و مان ** مانده در زندان وبند بیامان585
There was an insolvent person without house or home, who remained in prison and pitiless bondage.
لقمهی زندانیان خوردی گزاف ** بر دل خلق از طمع چون کوه قاف
He would unconscionably eat the rations of the prisoners; on account of (his) appetite he was (a burden) like Mount Qáf on the hearts of the people (in the gaol).
زهره نه کس را که لقمهی نان خورد ** ز انکه آن لقمهربا کاوش برد
No one had the pluck to eat a mouthful of bread, because that snatcher of portions would carry off his entire meal.
هر که دور از دعوت رحمان بود ** او گدا چشم است اگر سلطان بود
Any one who is far from the feast of the Merciful (God) has the eye of a (low) beggar, though he be a sultan.
مر مروت را نهاده زیر پا ** گشته زندان دوزخی ز آن نان ربا
He (the insolvent) had trodden virtue underfoot; the prison had become a hell on account of that robber of bread.
گر گریزی بر امید راحتی ** ز آن طرف هم پیشت آید آفتی590
If you flee in hope of some relief, on that side also a calamity comes to meet you.
هیچ کنجی بیدد و بیدام نیست ** جز به خلوتگاه حق آرام نیست
No corner is without wild beasts; there is no rest but in the place where you are alone with God.
کنج زندان جهان ناگزیر ** نیست بیپا مزد و بیدق الحصیر
The corner (narrow cell) of this world's inevitable prison is not exempt from the charges for visitors and (the cost of) housewarming.
و الله ار سوراخ موشی در روی ** مبتلای گربه چنگالی شوی
By God, if you go into a mouse-hole, you will be afflicted by some one who has the claws of a cat.