آدمی اول حریص نان بود ** زانک قوت و نان ستون جان بود

At first a man is greedy for bread, because food and bread are the pillar (support) of life.

سوی کسب و سوی غصب و صد حیل ** جان نهاده بر کف از حرص و امل 1190

On account of greed and expectation he runs every risk in the way of earning his livelihood and seizing property by violence and (employing) a hundred devices.

چون بنادر گشت مستغنی ز نان ** عاشق نامست و مدح شاعران

When, (as happens) rarely, he becomes independent of (earning his) bread, he is in love with fame and the praise of poets,

تا که اصل و فصل او را بر دهند ** در بیان فضل او منبر نهند

In order that they may give fruit to (may adorn) his root and branch and may set up a pulpit to declare his excellence,

تا که کر و فر و زر بخشی او ** هم‌چو عنبر بو دهد در گفت و گو

So that his pomp and magnificence and lavishing of gold may yield a perfume, like (that of) ambergris, in (their) song.

خلق ما بر صورت خود کرد حق ** وصف ما از وصف او گیرد سبق

God created us in His image: our qualities are instructed by (are modeled upon) His qualities.

چونک آن خلاق شکر و حمدجوست ** آدمی را مدح‌جویی نیز خوست 1195

Inasmuch as the Creator desires thanksgiving and glorification, it is also the nature of man to desire praise,

خاصه مرد حق که در فضلست چست ** پر شود زان باد چون خیک درست

Especially the man of God, who is active in (showing) excellence: he becomes filled with that wind (of praise), like an undamaged leathern bag;

ور نباشد اهل زان باد دروغ ** خیک بدریدست کی گیرد فروغ

But if he (the recipient of praise) be not worthy, the bag is rent by that wind of falsehood: how should it receive lustre?

این مثل از خود نگفتم ای رفیق ** سرسری مشنو چو اهلی و مفیق

I have not invented this parable, O comrade: do not hear it (as though it were) silly, if thou art worthy and restored to thy senses.