پیش با همت بود اسرار جان ** از خسان محفوظ‌تر از لعل کان

پیش با همت بود اسرار جان ** از خسان محفوظ‌تر از لعل کان 2055

With the man of lofty aspiration the soul's secrets are kept from the base (worldlings) more safely than the ruby in the mine.

زر به از جانست پیش ابلهان ** زر نثار جان بود نزد شهان

To fools gold seems better than the soul; in the opinion of (spiritual) kings gold is to be scattered on the soul (as an offering).

می شتابیدند تفت از حرص زر ** عقلشان میگفت نه آهستهتر

In greed of gold they (the officers) were hastening rapidly (to the chamber), (though) their reason was saying, “No; not so fast.”

حرس تازد بیهده سوی سراب ** عقل گوید نیک بین کان نیست آب

Greed runs in vain towards the mirage, (though) reason says, "Look carefully: it is not water."

حرص غالب بود و زر چون جان شده ** نعره‌ی عقل آن زمان پنهان شده

Greed was predominant (in them), and gold had become (dear to them) as their souls: at that moment the cry of reason was unheard.

گشته صدتو حرص و غوغاهای او ** گشته پنهان حکمت و ایمای او 2060

Greed and its clamours had become hundredfold; wisdom and its suggestions had vanished,

تا که در چاه غرور اندر فتد ** آنگه از حکمت ملامت بشنود

To the end that he (the greedy man) may fall into the pit of delusion, and then hearken to the reproaches of Wisdom.

چون ز بند دام باد او شکست ** نفس لوامه برو یابید دست

When his wind (idle self-conceit) is broken by imprisonment in the trap,the rebuking soul gets the upper hand over him.

تا به دیوار بلا ناید سرش ** نشنود پند دل آن گوش کرش

Until his head comes against the wall of affliction, his deaf ear will not listen to the counsel of his heart.

کودکان را حرص گوزینه و شکر ** از نصیحتها کند دو گوش کر

Greed for walnut-cake and sugar makes the ears of children deaf to admonitions;