که اکابر را مقدم داشتن ** آمدست از مصطفی اندر سنن

که اکابر را مقدم داشتن ** آمدست از مصطفی اندر سنن 2460

For (the injunction) to give the foremost place to the seniors has come from Mustafá (Mohammed) among the practices observed by him,

گرچه پیران را درین دور لام ** در دو موضع پیش می‌دارند عام

Although, at this time when vile men hold sway, the vulgar put forward the elders on two occasions (only),

یا در آن لوتی که آن سوزان بود ** یا بر آن پل کز خلل ویران بود

Either in (tasting) food that is burning hot, or on a bridge that is (damaged) by cracks (and) in a state of ruin.

خدمت شیخی بزرگی قایدی ** عام نارد بی‌قرینه‌ی فاسدی

The vulgar do not pay homage to a venerable Shaykh and leader without some mischievous idea associated (with their homage).

خیرشان اینست چه بود شرشان ** قبحشان را باز دان از فرشان

This is their good: what must their evil be? Distinguish their (inward) foulness from their (outward) fairness.”

مثل

Parable.

سوی جامع می‌شد آن یک شهریار ** خلق را می‌زد نقیب و چوبدار 2465

A king was going to the congregational mosque, and the marshals and mace-bearers were beating the people off.

آن یکی را سر شکستی چوب‌زن ** و آن دگر را بر دریدی پیرهن

The wielder of the stick would break the head of one and tear to bits the shirt of another.

در میانه بی‌دلی ده چوب خورد ** بی‌گناهی که برو از راه برد

A poor wretch amidst the throng received ten blows with the stick without (having committed) any offence. “Begone,” they cried, “get out of the way!”

خون چکان رو کرد با شاه و بگفت ** ظلم ظاهر بین چه پرسی از نهفت

Dripping blood, he turned his face to the king and said, “Behold the manifest iniquity: why ask of that which is hidden?

خیر تو این است جامع می‌روی ** تا چه باشد شر و وزرت ای غوی

This is thy good: (thou doest this whilst) thou art going to the mosque; what must thy evil and burden (of sin) be, O misguided one?”