تو که جزوی کار تو با فایده ست ** پس چرا در طعن کل آری تو دست‌‌

Thou who art a part—thy act (of speaking) is beneficial: why (then) dost thou lift thy hand to assail the whole?

گفت را گر فایده نبود مگو ** ور بود هل اعتراض و شکر جو

If there is no benefit in speech, do not speak; and if there is, leave off making objections, and endeavour to give thanks.”

شکر یزدان طوق هر گردن بود ** نه جدال و رو ترش کردن بود 1525

Thanksgiving to God is a collar on every neck (every one's duty); it is not (thanksgiving) to dispute and make one's face look sour.

گر ترش رو بودن آمد شکر و بس ** پس چو سرکه شکر گویی نیست کس‌‌

If thanksgiving is only to look sour, then there is no thanks-giver like vinegar.

سرکه را گر راه باید در جگر ** گو بشو سرکنگبین او از شکر

If vinegar wants (to find) the way to the liver, let it become oxymel by (being mixed with) sugar.

معنی اندر شعر جز با خبط نیست ** چون قلاسنگ است اندر ضبط نیست‌‌

The meaning in poetry has no sureness of direction: it is like the sling, it is not under control.

در معنی آن که من أراد أن یجلس مع الله فلیجلس مع أهل التصوف‌‌

On the inner sense of “Let him who desires to sit with God sit with the Súfís.”

آن رسول از خود بشد زین یک دو جام ** نه رسالت یاد ماندش نه پیام‌‌

The ambassador became beside himself from these one or two cups (of spiritual discourse): neither embassage nor message remained in his memory.

واله اندر قدرت الله شد ** آن رسول اینجا رسید و شاه شد 1530

He became distraught at the power of God. The ambassador arrived at this place (state) and became a king.

سیل چون آمد به دریا بحر گشت ** دانه چون آمد به مزرع گشت کشت‌‌

When the torrent reached the sea, it became the sea; when the seed reached the cornland, it became the crop of corn.

چون تعلق یافت نان با بو البشر ** نان مرده زنده گشت و با خبر

When the bread attained to connexion with Man, the dead bread became living and endowed with knowledge.