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.

چون شکر پاید نهان تاثیر او ** بعد حینی دمل آرد نیش جو

When the effect of sugar endures (remains latent), after a while it produces boils that call for the lancet.

نفس از بس مدحها فرعون شد ** کن ذلیل النفس هونا لا تسد

The fleshly soul was made a Pharaoh by (receiving) many praises: be lowly of spirit through meekness, do not domineer.

تا توانی بنده شو سلطان مباش ** زخم کش چون گوی شو چوگان مباش‌‌

So far as you can, become a slave, do not be a monarch. Suffer blows: become like the ball, do not be the bat.

ور نه چون لطفت نماند وین جمال ** از تو آید آن حریفان را ملال‌‌

Otherwise, when this elegance and beauty remains with you no more, you will be loathed by those companions.

آن جماعت کت همی‌‌دادند ریو ** چون ببینندت بگویندت که دیو 1870

The set of people who used to flatter you deceitfully, when they behold you will call you a devil.

جمله گویندت چو بینندت به در ** مرده‌‌ای از گور خود بر کرد سر

When they see you at their doors, they all will cry, “Truly a dead man has risen from the grave.”

همچو امرد که خدا نامش کنند ** تا بدین سالوس در دامش کنند

(You will be) like the beardless youth whom they address as “Lord” that by this hypocrisy they may make entrap him.

چون که در بد نامی آمد ریش او ** دیو را ننگ آید از تفتیش او

As soon as he has grown a beard in infamy, the Devil is ashamed to search after him.