فرق بنهادم میان خیر و شر ** فرق بنهادم ز بد هم از بتر
I have laid down a distinction between good and evil; I have also laid down a distinction between the bad and the worse.’
ذره‌ای گر در تو افزونی ادب ** باشد از یارت بداند فضل رب 3140
If there be in you a single mote of self-discipline in excess of (that of) your companion, the grace of God will know,
قدر آن ذره ترا افزون دهد ** ذره چون کوهی قدم بیرون نهد
And will bestow on you that mote's amount of superiority: the mote will step forth as (big as) a mountain (to meet you).
پادشاهی که به پیش تخت او ** فرق نبود از امین و ظلم‌جو
A king before whose throne there is no distinction between the faithful (friend) and the seeker of iniquity—
آنک می‌لرزد ز بیم رد او ** وانک طعنه می‌زند در جد او
Between him who trembles in fear of his (the king's) disapproval and him who intrigues against his fortune (empire)—
فرق نبود هر دو یک باشد برش ** شاه نبود خاک تیره بر سرش
(So that) there is no difference, but both of them are one to him: he is not a king, may dark earth be on his head!
ذره‌ای گر جهد تو افزون بود ** در ترازوی خدا موزون بود 3145
If your (devotional) labour exceed (that of another) by a single mote, it (that mote) will be weighed in God's balance.
پیش این شاهان هماره جان کنی ** بی‌خبر ایشان ز غدر و روشنی
You continually work yourself to death in the service of these (worldly) kings, (yet) they are ignorant of (the difference between) treachery and honesty.
گفت غمازی که بد گوید ترا ** ضایع آرد خدمتت را سالها
The words of a tale-bearer who speaks ill of you will cause your service (rendered) during (many) years to be wasted;
پیش شاهی که سمیعست و بصیر ** گفت غمازان نباشد جای‌گیر
(But) the words of tale-bearers do not take their abode in the presence of the King who is hearing and seeing.