God has given you hands: do some work, earn something, help a friend.
هر کسی در مکسبی پا می‌نهد ** یاری یاران دیگر می‌کند
Every one takes steps to earn something and (thereby) helps other friends (to earn),
زانک جمله کسب ناید از یکی ** هم دروگر هم سقا هم حایکی
Because all the earning is not done by one (craftsman): (there is) a carpenter and also a water-carrier and a weaver.
این بهنبازیست عالم بر قرار ** هر کسی کاری گزیند ز افتقار
By means of this partnership (the order of) the world is maintained: every one, (being impelled) by want, chooses some work.
طبل‌خواری در میانه شرط نیست ** راه سنت کار و مکسب کردنیست
’Tis not right to be a lick-platter (idle parasite) in the midst (of them): the way of the Sunna is to work and earn.”
جواب گفتن خر روباه را کی توکل بهترین کسبهاست کی هر کسبی محتاجست به توکل کی ای خدا این کار مرا راست آر و دعا متضمن توکلست و توکل کسبی است کی به هیچ کسبی دیگر محتاج نیست الی آخره
How the ass answered the fox, saying, “Trust in God is the best way of earning a livelihood, for every one needs to trust in God and cry, ‘O God, bring this work of mine to success’; and prayer involves trust in God, and trust in God is the (only) means of livelihood that is independent of any other means, etc.”
گفت من به از توکل بر ربی ** می‌ندانم در دو عالم مکسبی 2425
He (the ass) said, “In the two worlds I do not know any means of livelihood superior to trust in my Lord.
کسب شکرش را نمی‌دانم ندید ** تا کشد رزق خدا رزق و مزید
I know nothing to be compared with the acquisition of thanksgiving to Him, in order that thanksgiving to God may bring (in its train) the daily bread and the increase (thereof).”
بحثشان بسیار شد اندر خطاب ** مانده گشتند از سال و از جواب
Their dispute was prolonged in mutual altercation (till) they became incapable of (further) questioning and answering.
بعد از آن گفتش بدان در مملکه ** نهی لا تلقوا بایدی تهلکه
Afterwards he (the fox) said to him, “Mark in the (Divine) kingdom the prohibition, ‘Do not cast yourselves into destruction.’
صبر در صحرای خشک و سنگ‌لاخ ** احمقی باشد جهان حق فراخ
In a barren desert covered with stones self-denial is folly: God's world is wide.