نفس را تسبیح و مصحف در یمین ** خنجر و شمشیر اندر آستین
The fleshly soul hath glorification of God (on its tongue), and the Qur’án in its right hand; (but) in its sleeve (it hath) dagger and sword.
مصحف و سالوس او باور مکن ** خویش با او هم‌سر و هم‌سر مکن2555
Do not believe its Qur’án and hypocritical ostentation, do not make yourself its confidant and comrade;
سوی حوضت آورد بهر وضو ** واندر اندازد ترا در قعر او
(For) it will take you to the tank to perform the ritual ablution, and will cast you to the bottom thereof.
عقل نورانی و نیکو طالبست ** نفس ظلمانی برو چون غالبست
The intellect is luminous and a seeker of good: how (then) does the dark fleshly soul prevail over it?
زانک او در خانه عقل تو غریب ** بر در خود سگ بود شیر مهیب
(It prevails) because it is at home, (while) your intellect is a stranger: the dog at his own door is (like) a terrible lion.
باش تا شیران سوی بیشه روند ** وین سگان کور آنجا بگروند
Wait till the lions go (back) to the jungle and these blind dogs’ will believe (in them) there.
مکر نفس و تن نداند عام شهر ** او نگردد جز بوحی القلب قهر2560
The common folk of the city do not know the deceit of the fleshly soul and of the body: it (the fleshly soul) is not subdued save by (Divine) inspiration in the heart.
هر که جنس اوست یار او شود ** جز مگر داود کان شیخت بود
Every one that is its congener becomes its friend, except, to be sure, the David who is your Shaykh;
کو مبدل گشت و جنس تن نماند ** هر که را حق در مقام دل نشاند
For he has been transmuted, and whomsoever God hath seated in the abode of the heart, he( that person) is no more the body’s congener.
خلق جمله علتی‌اند از کمین ** یار علت می‌شود علت یقین
All the (other) people are (rendered) infirm by (that which lies in) ambush (within them): ‘tis certain that infirmity associates with infirmity.