این ز حد و اندازه‌ها باشد برون ** داعی فعل از خیال گونه‌گون
These (ideas) are boundless and immeasurable (in number): the motive to action (arises) from various sorts of (such) phantasy.
بی‌نهایت کیش‌ها و پیشه‌ها ** جمله ظل صورت اندیشه‌ها
All the infinite ways of life and (all) the crafts are the shadow (reflexion) of the form of thoughts.
بر لب بام ایستاده قوم خوش ** هر یکی را بر زمین بین سایه‌اش
(For example, when) happy folk (are) standing on the edge of a roof, observe the shadow of each one on the ground.
صورت فکرست بر بام مشید ** وآن عمل چون سایه بر ارکان پدید 3730
The form of thought is on the lofty roof (of the spirit), while the (resultant) action appears, like a shadow, on the pillars (bodily limbs).
فعل بر ارکان و فکرت مکتتم ** لیک در تاثیر و وصلت دو به هم
The action is (manifested) on the pillars, while the thought (that produces it) is concealed; but the two are combined in the correlation of cause and effect.
آن صور در بزم کز جام خوشیست ** فایده‌ی او بی‌خودی و بیهشیست
The forms (ideas) that arise at a banquet from the festive cup have as their result unconsciousness and senselessness.
صورت مرد و زن و لعب و جماع ** فایده‌ش بی‌هوشی وقت وقاع
The forms (ideas) of man and woman and (amorous) sport and sexual intercourse—hinc nascitur perturbatio animi in coitu. [The forms (ideas) of man and woman and (amorous) sport and sexual intercourse—their result at the time of sexual union (is mental) distraction.]
صورت نان و نمک کان نعمتست ** فایده‌ش آن قوت بی‌صورتست
The (material) form of bread and salt, which is a benefit (conferred by God), has as its result (bodily) strength, which is formless.
در مصاف آن صورت تیغ و سپر ** فایده‌ش بی‌صورتی یعنی ظفر 3735
On the battle-field the (material) form of sword and shield has as its result a formless thing, i.e. victory.
مدرسه و تعلیق و صورت‌های وی ** چون به دانش متصل شد گشت طی
(Attendance at) college and learning and the (various) forms thereof are (all) done with, as soon as they have reached (their goal, namely) knowledge.