هر نکالی ناگهان کان آمدست ** بر کنار کنگره‌ی شادی بدست
Every sudden chastisement that has come to pass has taken place on the edge of the turret of enjoyment.
جز کنار بام خود نبود سقوط ** اعتبار از قوم نوح و قوم لوط
Indeed there is no fall except (on) the edge of the roof: (take) warning from (the fate of) the people of Noah and the people of Lot.
بیان سبب فصاحت و بسیارگویی آن فضول به خدمت رسول علیه‌السلام
Explaining the cause of the eloquence and loquacity of that impertinent man in the presence of the Prophet, on whom be peace.
پرتو مستی بی‌حد نبی ** چون بزد هم مست و خوش گشت آن غبی
When the ray (reflexion) of the Prophet's boundless intoxication struck (the objector), that stupid fellow also became drunken and merry.
لاجرم بسیارگو شد از نشاط ** مست ادب بگذاشت آمد در خباط2155
Of course, in consequence of (drunken) glee he became loquacious: the intoxicated man neglected (to observe) respect and began to rave.
نه همه جا بی‌خودی شر می‌کند ** بی‌ادب را می چنان‌تر می‌کند
Not on every occasion does selflessness (intoxication) work mischief, (but) wine makes the unmannerly person more so.
گر بود عاقل نکو فر می‌شود ** ور بود بدخوی بتر می‌شود
If he (the wine-drinker) be intelligent, he becomes decorous (displays goodly qualities when beside himself); and if he be evil-natured, he becomes worse.
لیک اغلب چون بدند و ناپسند ** بر همه می را محرم کرده‌اند
But since the majority are evil and reprobate, wine has been forbidden to all.
بیان رسول علیه السلام سبب تفضیل و اختیار کردن او آن هذیلی را به امیری و سرلشکری بر پیران و کاردیدگان
How the Prophet, on whom be peace, explained the cause of his preferring and choosing the (young) man of Hudhayl as commander and chief of the army over the heads of the elders and veterans.
حکم اغلب راست چون غالب بدند ** تیغ را از دست ره‌زن بستدند
Cases are decided by the general rule (not by the exceptions):since the majority are evil, the sword was taken away from the hand of the highwayman.
گفت پیغامبر کای ظاهرنگر ** تو مبین او را جوان و بی‌هنر2160
The Prophet said, “O thou who lookest on externals, do not regard him as a youth and unskilled.
ای بسا ریش سیاه و مردت پیر ** ای بسا ریش سپید و دل چو قیر
Oh, there is many a black beard and the man (its owner) old (in wisdom); oh, there is many a white beard with a heart (black) as pitch.
عقل او را آزمودم بارها ** کرد پیری آن جوان در کارها
Often have I tested his understanding: that youth has shown (the ripe experience of) age in (handling) affairs.
پیر پیر عقل باشد ای پسر ** نه سپیدی موی اندر ریش و سر
O son, the (really) old is the old in understanding: ‘tis not whiteness of the hair in the beard and on the head.
از بلیس او پیرتر خود کی بود ** چونک عقلش نیست او لاشی بود
How should he (any old man) be older than Iblís? When he lacks understanding, he is good-for-naught.
طفل گیرش چون بود عیسی نفس ** پاک باشد از غرور و از هوس2165
Suppose he is a child: (what matter) when he hath the (life-giving) breath of Jesus (and) is purged of vainglory and vain desire?
آن سپیدی مو دلیل پختگیست ** پیش چشم بسته کش کوته‌تگیست
That whiteness of hair is a proof of maturity to the bandaged eye that hath little penetration.
آن مقلد چون نداند جز دلیل ** در علامت جوید او دایم سبیل
Since the blind imitator recognises nothing but (an external) proof, he continually seeks the way (to the truth) in the (out ward) sign.
بهر او گفتیم که تدبیر را ** چونک خواهی کرد بگزین پیر را
For his sake we have said, ‘When you wish to plan (anything), choose an elder (to advise you).’
آنک او از پرده‌ی تقلید جست ** او به نور حق ببیند آنچ هست
He who has escaped from the purdah of blind imitation sees by the light of God that which (really) is.
نور پاکش بی‌دلیل و بی‌بیان ** پوست بشکافد در آید در میان2170
Without proof and without exposition the pure Light cleaves its (the object’s) skin and enters into the middle (the core).
پیش ظاهربین چه قلب و چه سره ** او چه داند چیست اندر قوصره
To one who regards (only) the appearance, what is (the difference between) the adulterated and genuine coin? How should he know what is in the date-basket?
ای بسا زر سیه کرده بدود ** تا رهد از دست هر دزدی حسود
Oh, there is much gold made black with smoke, that it may be saved from (falling into) the hands of every envious thief.
ای بسا مس زر اندوده به زر ** تا فروشد آن به عقل مختصر
Oh, there is much copper gilded with gold, that he (the counterfeiter) may sell it to (those of) small understanding.
ما که باطن‌بین جمله‌ی کشوریم ** دل ببینیم و به ظاهر ننگریم
We, who see the inward (reality) of the whole world, see the heart and look not on the outward form.”
قاضیانی که به ظاهر می‌تنند ** حکم بر اشکال ظاهر می‌کنند2175
The cadis who are concerned with the outward form (the letter of the law) give judgement according to outward appearances.
چون شهادت گفت و ایمانی نمود ** حکم او مومن کنند این قوم زود
When he (the suspected person) has uttered the profession of the Faith and has shown some (formal sign of) true belief, at once these people (the cadis) pronounce him a true believer.