یا ز بالایم تو سنگی می‌زدی ** تا مرا آن جد نمودی و بدی
Or why weren't you throwing a stone at me from above, in order that that grave calamity and misfortune might be shown to me (plainly)?”
او بگوید زآنک می‌آزرده‌ای ** تو بگویی نیک شادم کرده‌ای2975
He says, “(I refrained) because you were annoyed”; you say (ironically), “You have made me very happy!”
گفت من کردم جوامردی بپند ** تا رهانم من ترا زین خشک بند
He says, “I bestowed counsel generously, that I might deliver you from this sterile (unprofitable) bondage.
از لیمی حق آن نشناختی ** مایه‌ی ایذا و طغیان ساختی
From vileness you acknowledged no obligation for that (generosity): you made (it) a source of injury and insolence.”
این بود خوی لیمان دنی ** بد کند با تو چو نیکویی کنی
This is the nature of base villains: he (such a one) does evil to thee when thou doest good (to him).
نفس را زین صبر می‌کن منحنیش ** که لیمست و نسازد نیکویش
As for the fleshly soul, bend it double (mortify it) by means of this renunciation, for it is vile, and kindness suiteth it not.
با کریمی گر کنی احسان سزد ** مر یکی را او عوض هفصد دهد2980
If thou show beneficence to a noble man, ’tis fitting: he will give seven hundred (benefits) in exchange for every one (conferred upon him);
با لیمی چون کنی قهر و جفا ** بنده‌ای گردد ترا بس با وفا
(But be merciless to the ignoble): when thou treatest a villain with violence and cruelty, he becomes a very faithful servant to thee.
کافران کارند در نعمت جفا ** باز در دوزخ نداشان ربنا
The infidels in (their) prosperity sow (the seed of) cruelty; again (afterwards) in Hell their cry is “O Lord, (deliver us)!”
حکمت آفریدن دوزخ آن جهان و زندان این جهان تا معبد متکبران باشد کی ائتیا طوعا او کرها
The wisdom of (God's) having created Hell in the world hereafter and the prison of (tribulation in) the present world to the end that they may be places of worship for the arrogant (evil-doers): “Come ye willingly or unwillingly.”
که لیمان در جفا صافی شوند ** چون وفا بینند خود جافی شوند
For in (suffering) cruelty the vile are purified; when they receive kindness, they themselves become cruel.