ور عصای حزم و استدلال نیست ** بی عصاکش بر سر هر ره مه‌ایست

And if there is no staff of prudence and judgement, do not stand on every road without a guide.

گام زان سان نه که نابینا نهد ** تا که پا از چاه و از سگ وا رهد

Step in the same fashion as a blind man steps, in order that your foot may escape from the pit and the dog.

لرز لرزان و بترس و احتیاط ** می‌نهد پا تا نیفتد در خباط 280

He (the blind man) plants his foot tremblingly and with fear and precaution, so that he may not fall into derangement.

ای ز دودی جسته در ناری شده ** لقمه جسته لقمه‌ی ماری شده

O you who have jumped away from some smoke and fallen into a fire, you who have sought a mouthful (of food) and become a mouthful for a snake,

قصه‌ی اهل سبا و طاغی کردن نعمت ایشان را و در رسیدن شومی طغیان و کفران در ایشان و بیان فضیلت شکر و وفا

(Story of the people of Sabá and how prosperity made them forward.)

تو نخواندی قصه‌ی اهل سبا ** یا بخواندی و ندیدی جز صدا

You have not read the story of the people of Sabá, or you have read it and seen (heard) naught but the echo.

از صدا آن کوه خود آگاه نیست ** سوی معنی هوش که را راه نیست

The mountain itself (which produces the echo) is not aware of the echo: the mind of the mountain hath no way (of access) to the meaning.

او همی بانگی کند بی گوش و هوش ** چون خمش کردی تو او هم شد خموش

Without ear and mind, it goes on making a noise; when you are silent, it also becomes silent.

داد حق اهل سبا را بس فراغ ** صد هزاران قصر و ایوانها و باغ 285

God bestowed on the people of Sabá much ease—myriads of castles and palaces and orchards.

شکر آن نگزاردند آن بد رگان ** در وفا بودند کمتر از سگان

(But) those bad-natured ones rendered no thanks for that (bounty): in fidelity they were less than dogs.

مر سگی را لقمه‌ی نانی ز در ** چون رسد بر در همی‌بندد کمر

When to a dog there comes from the door a piece of bread, he will gird up his loins at the door.