هین مشو چون قند پیش طوطیان ** بلک زهری شو شو آمن از زیان
Beware! Do not be like sugar before parrots; nay, be a poison, be secure from loss;
یا برای شادباشی در خطاب ** خویش چون مردار کن پی کلاب
Or (otherwise), for the sake of having a ‘Bravo’ addressed to thee, make thyself (as) a carcase in the presence of dogs!
پس خضر کشتی برای این شکست ** تا که آن کشتی ز غاصب باز رست
Therefore Khadir scuttled the boat for this purpose, (namely), that the boat might be delivered from him who would have seized it by force.
فقر فخری بهر آن آمد سنی ** تا ز طماعان گریزم در غنی 715
(The mystery of) ‘Poverty is my pride’ is sublime: (it is) for the purpose that I may take refuge from the covetous with Him who is Self-sufficient.
گنجها را در خرابی زان نهند ** تا ز حرص اهل عمران وا رهند
Treasures are deposited in a ruined spot to the end that they may escape the greed of those who dwell in places of cultivation.
پر نتانی کند رو خلوت گزین ** تا نگردی جمله خرج آن و این
(If) thou canst not tear out thy feathers, go, adopt (a life of) solitude, that thou mayst not be entirely squandered (consumed) by that one and this one;
زآنک تو هم لقمه‌ای هم لقمه‌خوار ** آکل و ماکولی ای جان هوش‌دار
For thou art both the morsel (of food) and the eater of the morsel: thou art the devourer and the devoured. Apprehend (this), O (dear) soul!
در بیان آنک ما سوی الله هر چیزی آکل و ماکولست هم‌چون آن مرغی کی قصد صید ملخ می‌کرد و به صید ملخ مشغول می‌بود و غافل بود از باز گرسنه کی از پس قفای او قصد صید او داشت اکنون ای آدمی صیاد آکل از صیاد و آکل خود آمن مباش اگر چه نمی‌بینیش به نظر چشم به نظر دلیل و عبرتش می‌بین تا چشم نیز باز شدن
Explaining that everything except God is devouring and devoured, like the bird that was in pursuit of a locust and occupied in chasing it and oblivious of the hungry hawk behind its own back, that was about to seize it. Now, O hunting and devouring man, be not secure against thine own hunter and devourer. Though with the sight of the (physical) eye thou seest him not, (yet) see him with the eye of serious consideration till the opening of the eye of the inmost heart (oculus cordis).
مرغکی اندر شکار کرم بود ** گربه فرصت یافت او را در ربود
A little bird was hunting a worm: a cat found its opportunity and seized it.
آکل و ماکول بود و بی‌خبر ** در شکار خود ز صیادی دگر 720
It (the bird) was a devourer and a thing devoured, and (being engrossed) in its hunting was ignorant of another hunter.
دزد گرچه در شکار کاله‌ایست ** شحنه با خصمانش در دنباله‌ایست
Although the thief is (engaged) in hunting articles of property, (yet) the prefect of police with (the thief's) enemies is behind him (on his track).