کز خلاف عادتست آن رنج او ** پس دوای رنجش از معتاد جو
For his illness arises from doing the contrary to (his usual) habit: therefore seek the remedy for his illness in that which is habitual (to him).’
چون جعل گشتست از سرگین‌کشی ** از گلاب آید جعل را بیهشی
He (the tanner), from carrying dung, has become like the dung-beetle: the dung-beetle is made insensible by rose-water.
هم از آن سرگین سگ داروی اوست ** که بدان او را همی معتاد و خوست
The remedy for him consists in that same dog's dung to which he is habituated and accustomed.”
الخبیثات الخبیثین را بخوان ** رو و پشت این سخن را باز دان280
Recite (the text), the wicked women for the wicked men: recognise (both) the front and the back of this saying.
ناصحان او را به عنبر یا گلاب ** می دوا سازند بهر فتح باب
The sincere mentors prepare medicine for him (the wicked man) with ambergris or rose-water to open the door (of Divine Mercy);
مر خبیثان را نسازد طیبات ** درخور و لایق نباشد ای ثقات
(But) sweet words will not do for the wicked: ’tis not fitting and suitable, O ye trusty ones!
چون زعطر وحی کژ گشتند و گم ** بد فغانشان که تطیرنا بکم
When from the perfume of the Revelation they (the wicked infidels) became crooked (disordered in mind) and lost (in error), their lament was, “We augur evil from you.
رنج و بیماریست ما را این مقال ** نیست نیکو وعظتان ما را به فال
This discourse (of yours) is illness and sickness to us: your exhortation is not of good omen to us.
گر بیاغازید نصحی آشکار ** ما کنیم آن دم شما را سنگسار285
If ye once begin to admonish (us) overtly, at that instant we will stone you.
ما بلغو و لهو فربه گشته‌ایم ** در نصیحت خویش را نسرشته‌ایم
We have waxed fat on frivolity and diversion: we have not steeped ourselves in admonition.