آتشش پنهان و ذوقش آشکار ** دود او ظاهر شود پایان کار

Its fire is hidden and its taste is manifest: its smoke becomes visible in the end.

تو مگو آن مدح را من کی خورم ** از طمع می‌‌گوید او پی می‌‌برم‌‌

Do not say, “How should I swallow that praise? He is speaking from desire (for reward): I am on his track (and see quite well what he is after).”

مادحت گر هجو گوید بر ملا ** روزها سوزد دلت ز آن سوزها

If your belauder should satirise you in public, your heart would burn for (many) days on account of those scorches (of vituperation).

گر چه دانی کاو ز حرمان گفت آن ** کان طمع که داشت از تو شد زیان‌‌

Although you know that he (only) said it in disappointment because the hopes he had of you brought him no gain,

آن اثر می‌‌ماندت در اندرون ** در مدیح این حالتت هست آزمون‌‌ 1860

(Yet) the effect thereof is remaining within you. The same experience happens to you in the case of praise.

آن اثر هم روزها باقی بود ** مایه‌‌ی کبر و خداع جان شود

The effect of that too lasts for many days and becomes a source of arrogance and deception of the soul,

لیک ننماید چو شیرین است مدح ** بد نماید ز آن که تلخ افتاد قدح‌‌

But it does not show itself, because praise is sweet; (in the case of blame) the evil shows itself, because blame is bitter.

همچو مطبوخ است و حب کان را خوری ** تا به دیری شورش و رنج اندری‌‌

It (blame) is like (bitter) decoctions and pills which you swallow and for a long time you are in disturbance and pain,

ور خوری حلوا بود ذوقش دمی ** این اثر چون آن نمی‌‌پاید همی‌‌

Whereas, if you eat halwá (sweetmeat), its taste is momentary: this effect, like the other, is not enduring for ever.

چون نمی‌‌پاید همی‌‌پاید نهان ** هر ضدی را تو به ضد او بدان‌‌ 1865

Since it does not endure (perceptibly), it endures imperceptibly: recognise every opposite by means of its opposite.