Thou hast grown old in (the occupation of) loosing knots: suppose a few more knots are loosed (by thee, what then?).
عقدهای که آن بر گلوی ماست سخت ** که بدانی که خسی یا نیکبخت
The knot that is (fastened) tight on our throat is that thou shouldst know whether thou art vile or fortunate.
حل این اشکال کن گر آدمی ** خرج این کن دم اگر آدمدمی
Solve this problem, if thou art a man: spend thy breath (life) on this, if thou hast the breath (spirit) of Adam (within thee).
حد اعیان و عرض دانسته گیر ** حد خود را دان که نبود زین گزیر
Suppose thou knowest the definitions of (all) substances and accidents, (how shall it profit thee?): know the (true) definition of thyself, for this is indispensable.
چون بدانی حد خود زین حدگریز ** تا به بیحد در رسی ای خاکبیز 565
When thou knowest the definition of thyself, flee from this definition, that thou mayst attain to Him who hath no definition, O sifter of dust.
عمر در محمول و در موضوع رفت ** بیبصیرت عمر در مسموع رفت
(Thy) life has gone (to waste) in (the consideration of logical) predicate and subject: (thy) life, devoid of (spiritual) insight, has gone in (study of) what has been received by hearsay.