همچنان که هر کسی در معرفت ** می‏کند موصوف غیبی را صفت‏

(This is) even as in the matter of knowledge (of God) every one describes (differently) the Unseen Object of description.

فلسفی از نوع دیگر کرده شرح ** باحثی مر گفت او را کرده جرح‏

The philosopher gives an explanation of another (a particular) kind; a scholastic theologian invalidates his statement;

و آن دگر در هر دو طعنه می‏زند ** و آن دگر از زرق جانی می‏کند 2925

And some one else jeers at both of them, while another hypocritically tires himself to death (trying to prove that he has real knowledge of God).

هر یک از ره این نشانها ز آن دهند ** تا گمان آید که ایشان ز آن ده‏اند

Each one (of them) gives these indications of the Way, in order that it may be supposed that they belong to that Village.

این حقیقت دان نه حق‏اند این همه ** نی بکلی گمرهانند این رمه‏

Know the truth to be this, (that) all these (various persons) are not in the right; nor (again) are this herd entirely astray,

ز انکه بی‏حق باطلی ناید پدید ** قلب را ابله به بوی زر خرید

Because nothing false is shown without the True: the fool bought (desired) spurious coin in the hope of (its being) gold.

گر نبودی در جهان نقدی روان ** قلبها را خرج کردن کی توان‏

If there were no current (genuine) coin in the world, how would it be possible to issue false coins?

تا نباشد راست کی باشد دروغ ** آن دروغ از راست می‏گیرد فروغ‏ 2930

Unless there be truth, how should there be falsehood? That falsehood receives brilliance (prestige and reputation) from truth.

بر امید راست کژ را می‏خرند ** زهر در قندی رود آن گه خورند

They buy (desire) the wrong in hope of (its being) the right: (if) poison go into a piece of sugar, then (and then only) they eat (poison).

گر نباشد گندم محبوب نوش ** چه برد گندم‏نمای جو فروش‏

If there be no savoury wheat, what shall he get who sells barley, pretending that it is wheat?