لوح حافظ باشی اندر دور و گشت ** لوح محفوظ اوست کو زین در گذشت
You, (occupied) in wandering and going about (in search of knowledge), are a preserving (recording) tablet; the preserved tablet is he that has passed beyond this.
عقل دیگر بخشش یزدان بود ** چشمه‌ی آن در میان جان بود
The other intelligence is the gift of God: its fountain is in the midst of the soul.
چون ز سینه آب دانش جوش کرد ** نه شود گنده نه دیرینه نه زرد1965
When the water of (God-given) knowledge gushes from the breast, it does not become fetid or old or yellow (impure);
ور ره نبعش بود بسته چه غم ** کو همی‌جوشد ز خانه دم به دم
And if its way of issue (to outside) be stopped, what harm? for it gushes continually from the house (of the heart).
عقل تحصیلی مثال جویها ** کان رود در خانه‌ای از کویها
The acquired intelligence is like the conduits which run into a house from the streets:
راه آبش بسته شد شد بی‌نوا ** از درون خویشتن جو چشمه را
(If) its (the house’s) water-way is blocked, it is without any supply (of water) Seek the fountain from within yourself!
قصه‌ی آنک کسی به کسی مشورت می‌کرد گفتش مشورت با دیگری کن کی من عدوی توم
Story that some one was consulting another, who said, "Consult some one else, for I am your enemy."
مشورت می‌کرد شخصی با کسی ** کز تردد وا ردهد وز محبسی
A certain person was consulting some one, that he might be delivered from perplexity and from a quandary.
گفت ای خوش‌نام غیر من بجو ** ماجرای مشورت با او بگو1970
“O man of good name,” he replied, “seek another, not me, and explain to him the matter for consultation.
من عدوم مر ترا با من مپیچ ** نبود از رای عدو پیروز هیچ
I am an enemy to you: do not attach yourself to me; one is never successful (never wins success) from the counsel of an enemy.
رو کسی جو که ترا او هست دوست ** دوست بهر دوست لاشک خیرجوست
Go, seek one who is a friend to you: undoubtedly a friend seeks (what is) good for his friend.