گفت پیغامبر سپهدار غیوب ** لا شجاعة یا فتی قبل الحروب
The Prophet; the commander-in-chief of the things unseen, said, “There is no bravery, O youth, before the battles.”
وقت لاف غزو مستان کف کنند ** وقت جوش جنگ چون کف بی‌فنند4005
The drunken make a froth when there is talk of war, (but) when war is raging they are as unskilled (useless) as froth.
وقت ذکر غزو شمشیرش دراز ** وقت کر و فر تیغش چون پیاز
At the time when war is spoken Of, his (such a one’s) scimitar is long (drawn and extended); at the time of combat his sword is (sheathed) like an onion.
وقت اندیشه دل او زخم‌جو ** پس به یک سوزن تهی شد خیک او
At the time of premeditation his heart is eager for wounds; then (in action) his bag is emptied (of air) by a single needle.
من عجب دارم ز جویای صفا ** کو رمد در وقت صیقل از جفا
I marvel at the seeker of purity who at the time of polishing shrinks from being handled roughly.
عشق چون دعوی جفا دیدن گواه ** چون گواهت نیست شد دعوی تباه
Love is like the lawsuit; to suffer harsh treatment is (like) the evidence: when you have no evidence, the lawsuit is lost.
چون گواهت خواهد این قاضی مرنج ** بوسه ده بر مار تا یابی تو گنج4010
Do not be aggrieved when this Judge demands your evidence: kiss the snake in order that you may gain the treasure.
آن جفا با تو نباشد ای پسر ** بلک با وصف بدی اندر تو در
That harshness is not towards you, O son; nay, towards the evil qualities within you.
بر نمد چوبی که آن را مرد زد ** بر نمد آن را نزد بر گرد زد
The blows of the stick with which a man beats a rug he inflicts, not on the rug, but on the dust (in the rug).
گر بزد مر اسپ را آن کینه کش ** آن نزد بر اسپ زد بر سکسکش
If that vindictive fellow lashes the horse, he directs the blows, not at the horse, but at its stumbling,
تا ز سکسک وا رهد خوش‌پی شود ** شیره را زندان کنی تا می‌شود
In order that it may be delivered from (the vice of) stumbling and may move well: you imprison must (in the vat) in order that it may become wine.
گفت چندان آن یتیمک را زدی ** چون نترسیدی ز قهر ایزدی4015
He (some one) said, “Thou hast struck that little orphan so many blows: how wert not thou afraid of the Divine wrath?”
گفت او را کی زدم ای جان و دوست ** من بر آن دیوی زدم کو اندروست
He (the striker) said, “O (dear) soul and friend, when did I strike him? I struck at the devil that is in him,”
مادر ار گوید ترا مرگ تو باد ** مرگ آن خو خواهد و مرگ فساد
If your mother say to you, “Mayst thou die!” she wishes the death of that (evil) nature (of yours) and the death of iniquity.
آن گروهی کز ادب بگریختند ** آب مردی و آب مردان ریختند
The folk who fled from correction dishonoured’ their (own) manhood and (true) men.
عاذلانشان از وغا وا راندند ** تا چنین حیز و مخنث ماندند
The railers drove them back from the war, so that they remained so infamous and effeminate.
لاف و غره‌ی ژاژخا را کم شنو ** با چنینها در صف هیجا مرو4020
Do not thou hearken to the boasting and roaring of the driveller: do not go into the battle-line with such fellows.
زانک زاد و کم خبالا گفت حق ** کز رفاق سست برگردان ورق
Since they would have added to you (naught but) corruption, God said, “Turn the leaf (avert yourself) from pusillanimous comrades,
که گر ایشان با شما همره شوند ** غازیان بی‌مغز همچون که شوند
For if they go along with you, the warriors will become pith- less, like straw.
خویشتن را با شما هم‌صف کنند ** پس گریزند و دل صف بشکنند
They put themselves in line with you (on the field of battle); then they flee and break the heart of the line.
پس سپاهی اندکی بی این نفر ** به که با اهل نفاق آید حشر
Therefore, better a little army without these persons than (that) it should be mustered (reinforced) with the Hypocrites.”
هست بادام کم خوش بیخته ** به ز بسیاری به تلخ آمیخته4025
A few well-sifted almonds are better than a great many (sweet ones) mixed with bitter..
تلخ و شیرین در ژغاژغ یک شی‌اند ** نقص از آن افتاد که همدل نیند
The bitter and the sweet are one thing (alike) in respect of rattling (against each other, when poured out); the defect arises from their not being the same at heart.
گبر ترسان دل بود کو از گمان ** می‌زید در شک ز حال آن جهان
The infidel is of timorous heart, for, (judging) from opinion, he lives in doubt as to the state of that (the other) world.