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ای بسا ریش سیاه و مردت پیر ** ای بسا ریش سپید و دل چو قیر
- Oh, there is many a black beard and the man (its owner) old (in wisdom); oh, there is many a white beard with a heart (black) as pitch.
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عقل او را آزمودم بارها ** کرد پیری آن جوان در کارها
- Often have I tested his understanding: that youth has shown (the ripe experience of) age in (handling) affairs.
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پیر پیر عقل باشد ای پسر ** نه سپیدی موی اندر ریش و سر
- O son, the (really) old is the old in understanding: ‘tis not whiteness of the hair in the beard and on the head.
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از بلیس او پیرتر خود کی بود ** چونک عقلش نیست او لاشی بود
- How should he (any old man) be older than Iblís? When he lacks understanding, he is good-for-naught.
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طفل گیرش چون بود عیسی نفس ** پاک باشد از غرور و از هوس 2165
- Suppose he is a child: (what matter) when he hath the (life-giving) breath of Jesus (and) is purged of vainglory and vain desire?
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آن سپیدی مو دلیل پختگیست ** پیش چشم بسته کش کوته‌تگیست
- That whiteness of hair is a proof of maturity to the bandaged eye that hath little penetration.
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آن مقلد چون نداند جز دلیل ** در علامت جوید او دایم سبیل
- Since the blind imitator recognises nothing but (an external) proof, he continually seeks the way (to the truth) in the (out ward) sign.
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بهر او گفتیم که تدبیر را ** چونک خواهی کرد بگزین پیر را
- For his sake we have said, ‘When you wish to plan (anything), choose an elder (to advise you).’
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آنک او از پرده‌ی تقلید جست ** او به نور حق ببیند آنچ هست
- He who has escaped from the purdah of blind imitation sees by the light of God that which (really) is.
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نور پاکش بی‌دلیل و بی‌بیان ** پوست بشکافد در آید در میان 2170
- Without proof and without exposition the pure Light cleaves its (the object’s) skin and enters into the middle (the core).