Since thou hast not reason, forgetfulness is thy ruler: it is thy enemy and the bringer-to-naught of thy devising.”
از کمی عقل پروانه‌ی خسیس ** یاد نارد ز آتش و سوز و حسیس
From deficiency of reason the wretched moth does not re member the flame and the burning and the (crackling) sound (when its wings are scorched).
چونک پرش سوخت توبه می‌کند ** آز و نسیانش بر آتش می‌زند
When its wings are burnt, it repents; (but) cupidity and forgetfulness dash it (again) into the flame.
ضبط و درک و حافظی و یادداشت ** عقل را باشد که عقل آن را فراشت
Grasp and apprehension and retentiveness and keeping in mind belong to Reason, for Reason has raised those (faculties).
چونک گوهر نیست تابش چون بود ** چون مذکر نیست ایابش چون بود
When the pearl is not there, how should its lustre exist? When there is none to remind (admonish the fool), how should he turn back (from folly)?
این تمنی هم ز بی‌عقلی اوست ** که نبیند کان حماقت را چه خوست2295
Moreover, this wish (to escape from the consequences of his folly) arises from his want of reason, for he does not see what is the nature of that folly.
آن ندامت از نتیجه‌ی رنج بود ** نه ز عقل روشن چون گنج بود
That contrition was the result of pain, not of Reason which is bright as a treasure.
چونک شد رنج آن ندامت شد عدم ** می‌نیرزد خاک آن توبه و ندم
When the pain departed, that contrition became naught: that repentance and contrition hath not the worth (even) of dust.
آن ندم از ظلمت غم بست بار ** پس کلام اللیل یمحوه النهار
That contrition burgeoned from (was produced by) the darkness of pain; hence (as the proverb says) day wipes out the words of night