مادر ار گوید ترا مرگ تو باد ** مرگ آن خو خواهد و مرگ فساد
If your mother say to you, “Mayst thou die!” she wishes the death of that (evil) nature (of yours) and the death of iniquity.
آن گروهی کز ادب بگریختند ** آب مردی و آب مردان ریختند
The folk who fled from correction dishonoured’ their (own) manhood and (true) men.
عاذلانشان از وغا وا راندند ** تا چنین حیز و مخنث ماندند
The railers drove them back from the war, so that they remained so infamous and effeminate.
لاف و غره‌ی ژاژخا را کم شنو ** با چنینها در صف هیجا مرو4020
Do not thou hearken to the boasting and roaring of the driveller: do not go into the battle-line with such fellows.
زانک زاد و کم خبالا گفت حق ** کز رفاق سست برگردان ورق
Since they would have added to you (naught but) corruption, God said, “Turn the leaf (avert yourself) from pusillanimous comrades,
که گر ایشان با شما همره شوند ** غازیان بی‌مغز همچون که شوند
For if they go along with you, the warriors will become pith- less, like straw.
خویشتن را با شما هم‌صف کنند ** پس گریزند و دل صف بشکنند
They put themselves in line with you (on the field of battle); then they flee and break the heart of the line.
پس سپاهی اندکی بی این نفر ** به که با اهل نفاق آید حشر
Therefore, better a little army without these persons than (that) it should be mustered (reinforced) with the Hypocrites.”
هست بادام کم خوش بیخته ** به ز بسیاری به تلخ آمیخته4025
A few well-sifted almonds are better than a great many (sweet ones) mixed with bitter..
تلخ و شیرین در ژغاژغ یک شی‌اند ** نقص از آن افتاد که همدل نیند
The bitter and the sweet are one thing (alike) in respect of rattling (against each other, when poured out); the defect arises from their not being the same at heart.