(If) you put the king in the rook's place, ’tis ruin (to the game); likewise, (if you put) the horse (knight) in the king's place, ’tis the act of an ignoramus.
در شریعت هم عطا هم زجر هست ** شاه را صدر و فرس را درگه است 2595
Both bounty and severity are (sanctioned) in the religious Law: (’tis) for the king (to sit on) the throne, (’tis) for the horse (to stand at) the gate.
عدل چه بود وضع اندر موضعش ** ظلم چه بود وضع در ناموقعش
What is justice? To put (a thing) in its (right) place. What is injustice? To put it in its wrong place.
نیست باطل هر چه یزدان آفرید ** از غضب وز حلم وز نصح و مکید
Nothing is vain that God created, (whether it be) anger or forbearance or sincere counsel or guile.
خیر مطلق نیست زینها هیچ چیز ** شر مطلق نیست زینها هیچ نیز
None of these things is absolutely good, nor is any of them absolutely evil.
نفع و ضر هر یکی از موضعست ** علم ازین رو واجبست و نافعست
The usefulness and harm of each depend on the place (occasion): for this reason knowledge is necessary and useful.
ای بسا زجری که بر مسکین رود ** در ثواب از نان و حلوا به بود 2600
Oh, many a punishment inflicted on a poor fellow is more meritorious than (a gift of) bread and sweetmeat,
زانک حلوا بی‌اوان صفرا کند ** سیلیش از خبث مستنقا کند
For sweetmeat (when eaten) unseasonably causes yellow bile, (whereas) slaps purge him of wickedness.
سیلیی در وقت بر مسکین بزن ** که رهاند آنش از گردن زدن
Give the poor fellow a slap in season: it will save him from beheading (afterwards).
زخم در معنی فتد از خوی بد ** چوب بر گرد اوفتد نه بر نمد
The blow is really inflicted because of (his) evil disposition: the stick falls on the dust (in the garment of felt), not on the felt (itself).