محتشم چون عاریت را ملک دید ** پس بر آن مال دروغین می‌طپید

Inasmuch as the magnate regarded that which is (only) a loan as (his) property, he was quivering (with anxiety) for that false wealth.

خواب می‌بیند که او را هست مال ** ترسد از دزدی که برباید جوال 2640

He dreams that he has wealth and is afraid of the thief who may carry off his sack (of gold).

چون ز خوابش بر جهاند گوش‌کش ** پس ز ترس خویش تسخر آیدش

When Death pulls his ear and makes him start up from slumber, then he falls to mocking at his fears.

همچنان لرزانی این عالمان ** که بودشان عقل و علم این جهان

Even such (is) the trembling of these learned scholars who have the intelligence and knowledge of this world.

از پی این عاقلان ذو فنون ** گفت ایزد در نبی لا یعلمون

On account of these accomplished (and) intelligent men, God said in the Qur’án, They do not know.

هر یکی ترسان ز دزدی کسی ** خویشتن را علم پندارد بسی

Each (of them) is afraid of some one's stealing (his time): he fancies that he possesses a great deal of knowledge.

گوید او که روزگارم می‌برند ** خود ندارد روزگار سودمند 2645

He says, “They are wasting my time,” (but) in truth he has no time that is profitable.

گوید از کارم بر آوردند خلق ** غرق بی‌کاریست جانش تابه حلق

He says, “The people have taken me away from my work,” (but) his soul is plunged in idleness up to the throat.

عور ترسان که منم دامن کشان ** چون رهانم دامن از چنگالشان

(Like) the naked man (he) is frightened and says, “I am trailing a (long) skirt: how shall I save my skirt from their clutches?”

صد هزاران فضل داند از علوم ** جان خود را می‌نداند آن ظلوم

He knows a hundred thousand superfluous matters connected with the (various) sciences, (but) that unjust man does not know his own soul.