این نهادند بهر آن لعب نهان ** وان برای آن و آن بهر فلان2890
They made this (move) for the sake of that concealed move, and that for the next, and that (again) for such and such.
هم‌چنین دیده جهات اندر جهات ** در پی هم تا رسی در برد و مات
Even so (proceed), having perceived reasons within reasons, one after the other, in order that you may arrive at victory and checkmate.
اول از بهر دوم باشد چنان ** که شدن بر پایه‌های نردبان
The first is for the sake of the second, like mounting on the steps of a ladder;
و آن دوم بهر سوم می‌دان تمام ** تا رسی تو پایه پایه تا به بام
And deem the second to be for the sake of the third, (and so on) to the end, in order that you may arrive, step by step, at the roof.
شهوت خوردن ز بهر آن منی ** آن منی از بهر نسل و روشنی
The desire to eat is for the sake of the semen: that semen is for the sake of procreation and the light (which glows in the eyes of parents).
کندبینش می‌نبیند غیر این ** عقل او بی‌سیر چون نبت زمین2895
The man of dull sight sees naught but this: his intelligence is without motion, like the plants of the earth.
نبت را چه خوانده چه ناخوانده ** هست پای او به گل در مانده
Whether the plant is summoned (to move) or not summoned, its foot remains stuck fast in the mud.
گر سرش جنبد پیر باد رو ** تو به سر جنبانیش غره مشو
If its head move with the motion of the wind, go, be not deceived by its moving its head.
آن سرش گوید سمعنا ای صبا ** پای او گوید عصینا خلنا
Its head says, “We obey, O zephyr!” Its foot says, “We refuse to obey: let us alone!”
چون ندارد سیر می‌راند چون عام ** بر توکل می‌نهد چون کور گام
Since he (the man of dull sight) does not know how to move (on the Way to God), he advances like the vulgar, stepping (forward) on trust, like a blind man.