ای بسا علم و ذکاوات و فطن ** گشته ره‌رو را چو غول و راه‌زن
Oh, how often have knowledge and keen wits and understandings become as (deadly as) the ghoul or brigand to the wayfarer!
بیشتر اصحاب جنت ابلهند ** تا ز شر فیلسوفی می‌رهند 2370
Most of those destined for Paradise are simpletons (simple-minded), so that they escape from the mischief of philosophy.
خویش را عریان کن از فضل و فضول ** تا کند رحمت به تو هر دم نزول
Strip yourself of (useless) learning and vanity, in order that (the Divine) mercy may descend on you at every moment.
زیرکی ضد شکستست و نیاز ** زیرکی بگذار و با گولی‌بساز
Cleverness is the opposite of abasement and supplication: give up cleverness and sort with stupidity.
زیرکی دان دام برد و طمع و گاز ** تا چه خواهد زیرکی را پاک‌باز
Know that cleverness is a trap for (a means of) gaining victory and (indulging) ambition and a scarecrow (such as is used by fowlers): why should the pure devotee wish to be clever?
زیرکان با صنعتی قانع شده ** ابلهان از صنع در صانع شده
The clever ones are content with an ingenious device; the simple ones have gone (away) from the artifice to rest in the Artificer,
زانک طفل خرد را مادر نهار ** دست و پا باشد نهاده بر کنار 2375
Because at breakfast time a mother will have laid the little child’s hands and feet (in repose) on her bosom.
حکایت آن سه مسافر مسلمان و ترسا و جهود و آن کی به منزل قوتی یافتند و ترسا و جهود سیر بودند گفتند این قوت را فردا خوریم مسلمان صایم بود گرسنه ماند از آنک مغلوب بود
Story of the three travellers—a Moslem, a Christian, and a Jew— who obtained (a gift of) some food at a hostelry. The Christian and the Jew had already eaten their fill, so they said, “Let us eat this food to-morrow.” The Moslem was fasting, and he remained hungry because he was overpowered (by his companions).
یک حکایت بشنو اینجا ای پسر ** تا نگردی ممتحن اندر هنر
Here listen to a story, O son, in order that you may not suffer affliction in (relying upon) talent.
آن جهود و مومن و ترسا مگر ** همرهی کردند با هم در سفر
As it happened, a Jew and a true believer and a Christian travelled together on a journey.
با دو گمره همره آمد مومنی ** چون خرد با نفس و با آهرمنی
A true believer travelled along with two miscreants, like reason (associated) with a carnal soul and Devil.