وقت تنگست و فراخی این کلام ** تنگ می‌آید برو عمر دوام1485
Time is pressing, and the amplitude of this (subject of) discussion (is such that) a perpetual life will be (too) restricted for it.
نیزه‌بازی اندرین کوه‌های تنگ ** نیزه‌بازان را همی آرد به تنگ
To dart the lance in these narrow lanes brings to disgrace those who dart the lance.
وقت تنگ و خاطر و فهم عوام ** تنگ‌تر صد ره ز وقت است ای غلام
The time is narrow (limited), and the mind and understanding of the vulgar is narrower a hundredfold than the time, O youth.
چون جواب احمق آمد خامشی ** این درازی در سخن چون می‌کشی
Inasmuch as silence is the (proper) reply to the fool, how art thou thus prolonging the discourse?
از کمال رحمت و موج کرم ** می‌دهد هر شوره را باران و نم
(Because) He (God), from the perfection of His mercy and the waves of His bounty, bestows rain and moisture on every barren soil.
در بیان آنک ترک الجواب جواب مقرر این سخن کی جواب الاحمق سکوت شرح این هر دو درین قصه است کی گفته می‌آید
Showing that (the proverb), "Omission to reply is a reply," confirms the saying that silence is the (proper) reply to the fool. The explanation of both these (sayings) is (contained) in the story which will now be related.
بود شاهی بود او را بنده‌ای ** مرده عقلی بود و شهوت‌زنده‌ای1490
There was a king: he had a slave; he (the slave) was one whose reason was dead and whose lust was alive.
خرده‌های خدمتش بگذاشتی ** بد سگالیدی نکو پنداشتی
He would neglect the niceties of service to him (the king): he was thinking evil and deeming (it) good.
گفت شاهنشه جرااش کم کنید ** ور بجنگد نامش از خط بر زنید
The monarch said, “Reduce his allowance, and if he wrangle strike his name off the roll.”
عقل او کم بود و حرص او فزون ** چون جرا کم دید شد تند و حرون
His reason was deficient, his cupidity excessive: when he saw the allowance reduced he became violent and refractory.
عقل بودی گرد خود کردی طواف ** تا بدیدی جرم خود گشتی معاف
Had there been reason (in him), he would have made a circuit round himself, in order that he might see his offence and become forgiven.