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پادشاهی را خدا کشتی کند ** تا به حرص خویش بر صفها زند
- God makes a king to be (as) an ark (for his subjects), to the end that he, (impelled) by selfishness, may assault the ranks (of his enemies).
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قصد شه آن نه که خلق آمن شوند ** قصدش آنک ملک گردد پای‌بند
- The king's aim is not that the people should become safe; his aim is that his kingdom should become (like) a fetter (on his foot).
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آن خراسی می‌دود قصدش خلاص ** تا بیابد او ز زخم آن دم مناص 2195
- The ass that turns the mill is running along: its aim is (to obtain) release, so that it may gain refuge from blows at that moment.
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قصد او آن نه که آبی بر کشد ** یاکه کنجد را بدان روغن کند
- Its aim is not to draw some water or thereby (by turning the mill) to make sesame into oil.
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گاو بشتابد ز بیم زخم سخت ** نه برای بردن گردون و رخت
- The ox hurries for fear of (receiving) hard blows, not for the purpose of taking the cart and baggage (to their destination);
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لیک دادش حق چنین خوف وجع ** تا مصالح حاصل آید در تبع
- But God put such fear of pain in him, to the end that good results might be achieved in consequence (of his fear).
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هم‌چنان هر کاسبی اندر دکان ** بهر خود کوشد نه اصلاح جهان
- Similarly, every shopkeeper works for himself, not for the improvement of the world.
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هر یکی بر درد جوید مرهمی ** در تبع قایم شده زین عالمی 2200
- Every one seeks a plaster for his pain, and in consequence of this a whole world is set in order.
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حق ستون این جهان از ترس ساخت ** هر یکی از ترس جان در کار باخت
- God made of fear the pillar (support) of this world: because of fear every one has devoted himself to work.
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حمد ایزد را که ترسی را چنین ** کرد او معمار و اصلاح زمین
- Praise be to God that on this wise He has made a fear to be the architect and (means for the) improvement of the world.