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.
داند او خاصیت هر جوهری ** در بیان جوهر خود چون خری
He knows the special properties of every substance, (but) in elucidating his own substance (essence) he is (as ignorant) as an ass,
که همی‌دانم یجوز و لایجوز ** خود ندانی تو یجوزی یا عجوز2650
Saying, “I know (what is) permissible and unpermissible.” Thou knowest not whether thou thyself art permissible or (unpermissible as) an old woman.
این روا و آن ناروا دانی ولیک ** تو روا یا ناروایی بین تو نیک
Thou knowest this licit (thing) and that illicit (thing), but art thou licit or illicit? Consider well!
قیمت هر کاله می‌دانی که چیست ** قیمت خود را ندانی احمقیست
Thou knowest what is the value of every article of merchandise; (if) thou knowest not the value of thyself, ’tis folly.
سعدها و نحسها دانسته‌ای ** ننگری سعدی تو یا ناشسته‌ای
Thou hast become acquainted with the fortunate and inauspicious stars; thou dost not look to see whether thou art fortunate or unwashed (spiritually foul and ill-favoured).
جان جمله علمها اینست این ** که بدانی من کیم در یوم دین
This, this, is the soul of all the sciences—that thou shouldst know who thou shalt be on the Day of Judgement.
آن اصول دین بدانستی ولیک ** بنگر اندر اصل خود گر هست نیک2655
Thou art acquainted with the fundamentals (usúl) of the (Mohammedan) Religion, but look upon thine own fundamental (asl) and see whether it is good.
از اصولینت اصول خویش به ** که بدانی اصل خود ای مرد مه
Thine own fundamentals are better for thee than the two fundamentals (of the Mohammedan Religion), so that thou mayst know thine own fundamental (essential nature), O great man.
صفت خرمی شهر اهل سبا و ناشکری ایشان
Description of the luxuriance of the city of the Sabaeans and their ingratitude.