مال و زر سر را بود همچون کلاه ** کل بود او کز کله سازد پناه‌‌

Wealth and gold are as a cap to the head: ’tis the bald man that makes a shelter of his cap,

آن که زلف جعد و رعنا باشدش ** چون کلاهش رفت خوشتر آیدش‌‌

(But) he that has curly and beautiful locks is happier when his cap is gone.

مرد حق باشد به مانند بصر ** پس برهنه‌‌ش به که پوشیده نظر 2345

The man of God (the saint) resembles the eye: therefore (his) sight is better bare (unveiled) than covered.

وقت عرضه کردن آن برده فروش ** بر کند از بنده جامه‌‌ی عیب پوش‌‌

When a slave-dealer offers (slaves) for sale, he removes from the (sound) slave the garment that hides defects.

ور بود عیبی برهنه کی کند ** بل به جامه خدعه‌‌ای با وی کند

But if there be any defect, how should he strip him? Nay, he tricks him (the purchaser) by means of the garment.

گوید این شرمنده است از نیک و بد ** از برهنه کردن او از تو رمد

‘This one,’ says he, ‘is ashamed of good and evil: stripping him would cause him to run away from thee.’

خواجه در عیب است غرقه تا به گوش ** خواجه را مال است و مالش عیب پوش‌‌

The (rich) merchant is plunged in vice up to the ears, (but) the merchant has money, and his money covers his vice,

کز طمع عیبش نبیند طامعی ** گشت دلها را طمعها جامعی‌‌ 2350

For because of cupidity none that is covetous sees his vice: feelings of cupidity are a bond uniting (men's) hearts;

ور گدا گوید سخن چون زر کان ** ره نیابد کاله‌‌ی او در دکان‌‌

And if a beggar speak a word like the (pure) gold of the mine, his wares will not find the way to the shop.

کار درویشی ورای فهم تست ** سوی درویشی بمنگر سست سست‌‌

The affair of (spiritual) poverty is beyond thy apprehension: do not look on poverty with contempt,