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مکر آن باشد که زندان حفره کرد ** آن که حفره بست آن مکری ست سرد
- The (right) plot is that he (the prisoner) digs a hole in his prison (in order to escape); if he blocks up the hole, that is a foolish plot.
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این جهان زندان و ما زندانیان ** حفره کن زندان و خود را وارهان
- This world is the prison, and we are the prisoners: dig a hole in the prison and let yourself out!
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چیست دنیا از خدا غافل بدن ** نی قماش و نقره و میزان و زن
- What is this world? To be forgetful of God; it is not merchandise and silver and weighing-scales and women.
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مال را کز بهر دین باشی حمول ** نعم مال صالح خواندش رسول
- As regards the wealth that you carry for religion's sake, “How good is righteous wealth (for the righteous man)!” as the Prophet recited.
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آب در کشتی هلاک کشتی است ** آب اندر زیر کشتی پشتی است 985
- Water in the boat is the ruin of the boat, (but) water underneath the boat is a support.
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چون که مال و ملک را از دل براند ** ز آن سلیمان خویش جز مسکین نخواند
- Since he cast out from his heart (the desire for) wealth and possessions, on that account Solomon did not call himself (by any name) but “poor.”
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کوزهی سر بسته اندر آب زفت ** از دل پر باد فوق آب رفت
- The stoppered jar, (though) in rough water, floated on the water because of its wind-filled (empty) heart.
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باد درویشی چو در باطن بود ** بر سر آب جهان ساکن بود
- When the wind of poverty is within (any one), he rests at peace on the surface of the water of the world;
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گر چه جملهی این جهان ملک وی است ** ملک در چشم دل او لا شی است
- Although the whole of this world is his kingdom, in the eye of his heart the kingdom is nothing.
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پس دهان دل ببند و مهر کن ** پر کنش از باد کبر من لدن 990
- Therefore stopper and seal the mouth of your heart, and fill it from the Divine ventilator.