یار غالب شو که تا غالب شوی ** یار مغلوبان مشو هین ای غوی
Become a friend to the conqueror, that thou mayst conquer: beware, do not become a friend to the vanquished, O misguided man!
حجت منکر همین آمد که من ** غیر این ظاهر نمی‌بینم وطن
The unbeliever's argument is just this, that he says, “I see no place of abode except this external (world).”
هیچ نندیشد که هر جا ظاهریست ** آن ز حکمتهای پنهان مخبریست
He never reflects that, wherever there is anything external, that (object) gives information of hidden wise purposes.
فایده‌ی هر ظاهری خود باطنیست ** هم‌چو نفع اندر دواها کامنست2880
The usefulness of every external object is, indeed, internal: it is latent, like the beneficial quality in medicines.
تفسیر این آیت کی و ما خلقنا السموات والارض و ما بینهما الا بالحق نیافریدمشان بهر همین کی شما می‌بینید بلک بهر معنی و حکمت باقیه کی شما نمی‌بینید آن را
Commentary on the Verse, "And We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them save with real ground": (i.e.) "I did not create them for the sake of just this which ye see; nay, but for the sake of the essential meaning and everlasting providence which ye see not."
هیچ نقاشی نگارد زین نقش ** بی امید نفع بهر عین نقش
Does any painter paint a beautiful picture for the sake of the picture itself, without hope of conferring benefit?
بلک بهر میهمانان و کهان ** که به فرجه وارهند از اندهان
Nay, (he paints it) for the sake of guests and young people who by diverting themselves (with it) may be relieved from cares.
شادی بچگان و یاد دوستان ** دوستان رفته را از نقش آن
From his picture (arises) the joy of children and the remembering of departed friend's by their friends.
هیچ کوزه‌گر کند کوزه شتاب ** بهر عین کوزه نه بر بوی آب
Does any potter make a pot in haste for the sake of the pot itself and not in hope of the water?
هیچ کاسه گر کند کاسه تمام ** بهر عین کاسه نه بهر طعام2885
Does any bowl-maker make a finished bowl for the sake of the bowl itself and not for the sake of the food?
هیچ خطاطی نویسد خط به فن ** بهر عین خط نه بهر خواندن
Does any calligrapher write artistically for the sake of the writing itself and not for the sake of the reading?