چون چراغی بی ز زیت و بی فتیل ** نه کثیرستش ز شمع و نه قلیل
(The incapable man is) like a lamp without oil or wick that gets neither much nor little from the (flaming) taper.
در گلستان اندر آید اخشمی ** کی شود مغزش ز ریحان خرمی
(If) one who cannot smell enter a garden, how should his brain (nose) be delighted by the fragrant herbs?—
هم‌چو خوبی دلبری مهمان غر ** بانگ چنگ و بربطی در پیش کر
Tanquam formosa et venusta hospita viri debilis; (and) like the sound of a harp or lute in the ears of the deaf; [Like a beautiful (and) charming woman (who is) the guest of a feeble (impotent) man; (and like) the sound of a harp or lute in the ears of the deaf;]
هم‌چو مرغ خاک که آید در بحار ** زان چه یابد جز هلاک و جز خسار 4430
(And) like the land-bird that falls into great waters: what should it find there but death and perdition?
هم‌چو بی‌گندم شده در آسیا ** جز سپیدی ریش و مو نبود عطا
(And) like one who, having no wheat, goes to a mill: nothing will be given to him except the whitening of his beard and hair (with flour).
آسیای چرخ بر بی‌گندمان ** موسپیدی بخشد و ضعف میان
The celestial mill bestows on those who have no wheat (only) whiteness of hair and weakness in the loins;
لیک با باگندمان این آسیا ** ملک‌بخش آمد دهد کار و کیا
But on those who bring wheat with them this mill bestows empire and gives them sovereign power.
اول استعداد جنت بایدت ** تا ز جنت زندگانی زایدت
You must first be qualified for Paradise in order that from Paradise the (everlasting) life may be born to you.
طفل نو را از شراب و از کباب ** چه حلاوت وز قصور و از قباب 4435
What pleasure has the new-born child in wine and roast-meat and palaces and domes?
حد ندارد این مثل کم جو سخن ** تو برو تحصیل استعداد کن
These parables have no limit: do not seek (more) words (of this kind): go and acquire capability!