-
خیر کن با خلق بهر ایزدت ** یا برای راحت جان خودت
- Do good unto the people for your God's sake or for the peace of your own soul,
-
تا هماره دوست بینی در نظر ** در دلت ناید ز کین ناخوش صور 1980
- That you may always see (them) friendly in your sight, and that ugly ideas arising from hatred may not come into your heart.
-
چونک کردی دشمنی پرهیز کن ** مشورت با یار مهرانگیز کن
- Since you have behaved with enmity (towards me), abstain (from consulting me): consult a friend who arouses (your) affection.”
-
گفت می‌دانم ترا ای بوالحسن ** که توی دیرینه دشمن‌دار من
- He replied, “I know you, O Bu ’l-Hasan, to be one who has long deemed me an enemy;
-
لیک مرد عاقلی و معنوی ** عقل تو نگذاردت که کژ روی
- But you are a reasonable and spiritual man: your reason will not allow you to go crookedly (play false).”
-
طبع خواهد تا کشد از خصم کین ** عقل بر نفس است بند آهنین
- The (carnal) nature desires to take revenge on its adversary: the reason is an iron chain upon the flesh.
-
آید و منعش کند وا داردش ** عقل چون شحنه‌ست در نیک و بدش 1985
- It comes and prevents it (the flesh) and restrains it: the reason is like a police-inspector for it in its good and evil (actions).
-
عقل ایمانی چو شحنه‌ی عادلست ** پاسبان و حاکم شهر دلست
- The reason that is allied to Faith is like a just police-inspector: it is the guardian and magistrate of the city of the heart.
-
هم‌چو گربه باشد او بیدارهوش ** دزد در سوراخ ماند هم‌چو موش
- It is mentally alert like a cat: the thief remains in the hole, like a mouse.
-
در هر آنجا که برآرد موش دست ** نیست گربه یا که نقش گربه است
- Wherever the mouse gets the upper hand, no cat is there, or (at least) there is (only) the (unreal) form of a cat.