در وجود ما هزاران گرگ و خوک ** صالح و ناصالح و خوب و خشوک‏

In our being there are thousands of wolves and hogs; (there is) goodly and ungodly and fair and foul.

حکم آن خور است کان غالبتر است ** چون که زر بیش از مس آید آن زر است‏

To the disposition that is preponderant belongs the decision (as to what you are): when the gold is more than the copper, it (the mixture) is gold.

سیرتی کان بر وجودت غالب است ** هم بر آن تصویر حشرت واجب است‏

The manner of acting that preponderates in your nature—in that same form you must needs rise (from the dead).

ساعتی گرگی در آید در بشر ** ساعتی یوسف رخی همچون قمر 1420

At one hour a wolf enters into Man, at another hour a moon-like beauty with the face of Joseph.

می‏رود از سینه‏ها در سینه‏ها ** از ره پنهان صلاح و کینه‏ها

Good and hateful qualities pass from bosoms into bosoms by a hidden way;

بلکه خود از آدمی در گاو و خر ** می‏رود دانایی و علم و هنر

Nay, indeed, wisdom and knowledge and excellence pass from Man into the ox and the ass.

اسب سکسک می‏شود رهوار و رام ** خرس بازی می‏کند بر هم سلام‏

The stumbling (restive) horse becomes smooth-paced and docile; the bear dances, the goat also salaams.

رفت اندر سگ ز آدمیان هوس ** تا شبان شد یا شکاری یا حرس‏

Volition has passed from human beings into the dog, so that he has become a shepherd or a hunter or a guardian (of the house).

در سگ اصحاب خوبی ز ان وفود ** رفت تا جویای الله گشته بود 1425

Into the dog of the Companions (of the Cave) there passed from those comers (to the Cave) a (moral) disposition, so that he had become a seeker of God.

هر زمان در سینه نوعی سر کند ** گاه دیو و گه ملک گه دام و دد

At every moment a (different) species bursts up in the breast: now a devil, and now an angel, now wild beasts.