هیچ باشد این تردد بر سرم ** که روم در بحر یا بالا پرم 410
Can there ever be in my head such a dilemma as this, (namely), “Shall I walk on the sea or shall I fly aloft?”
این تردد هست که موصل روم ** یا برای سحر تا بابل روم
(No); there is (only) this (kind of) vacillation, (namely), “Shall I go toMosul (for trade) or shall I go to Babylon for (the study of) magic?”
پس تردد را بباید قدرتی ** ورنه آن خنده بود بر سبلتی
Vacillation, then, must have (in connexion with it) a power to act; otherwise, it would be a (mere) mockery.
بر قضا کم نه بهانه ای جوان ** جرم خود را چون نهی بر دیگران
Do not put the blame on Destiny, O youth: how can you lay upon others (responsibility for) your own sin?
خون کند زید و قصاص او به عمر ** می خورد عمرو و بر احمد حد خمر
Does Zayd commit murder, and the retaliation for which he is liable fall upon ‘Amr? Does ‘Amr drink wine, and the penalty for wine(-drinking) fall upon Ahmad?
گرد خود برگرد و جرم خود ببین ** جنبش از خود بین و از سایه مبین 415
Circle round yourself and perceive your sin: perceive that the movement proceeds from the sun and do not regard it as proceeding from the shadow;
که نخواهد شد غلط پاداش میر ** خصم را می‌داند آن میر بصیر
For the Lord's retribution will not err: that sagacious Lord knows the guilty one.
چون عسل خوردی نیامد تب به غیر ** مزد روز تو نیامد شب به غیر
When you have eaten (too much) honey, the fever (caused by it) does not come to (does not attack) another; your day's wages do not come at nightfall to another.
در چه کردی جهد کان وا تو نگشت ** تو چه کاریدی که نامد ریع کشت
In what (work) have you exerted yourself without its returning to you (in some form) What have you sown without the produce of the seed coming (back to you)?
فعل تو که زاید از جان و تنت ** هم‌چو فرزندت بگیرد دامنت
Your action that is born of your soul and body clings to your skirt, like your (own) child.