لیک ننماید چو شیرین است مدح ** بد نماید ز آن که تلخ افتاد قدح‌‌

But it does not show itself, because praise is sweet; (in the case of blame) the evil shows itself, because blame is bitter.

همچو مطبوخ است و حب کان را خوری ** تا به دیری شورش و رنج اندری‌‌

It (blame) is like (bitter) decoctions and pills which you swallow and for a long time you are in disturbance and pain,

ور خوری حلوا بود ذوقش دمی ** این اثر چون آن نمی‌‌پاید همی‌‌

Whereas, if you eat halwá (sweetmeat), its taste is momentary: this effect, like the other, is not enduring for ever.

چون نمی‌‌پاید همی‌‌پاید نهان ** هر ضدی را تو به ضد او بدان‌‌ 1865

Since it does not endure (perceptibly), it endures imperceptibly: recognise every opposite by means of its opposite.

چون شکر پاید نهان تاثیر او ** بعد حینی دمل آرد نیش جو

When the effect of sugar endures (remains latent), after a while it produces boils that call for the lancet.

نفس از بس مدحها فرعون شد ** کن ذلیل النفس هونا لا تسد

The fleshly soul was made a Pharaoh by (receiving) many praises: be lowly of spirit through meekness, do not domineer.

تا توانی بنده شو سلطان مباش ** زخم کش چون گوی شو چوگان مباش‌‌

So far as you can, become a slave, do not be a monarch. Suffer blows: become like the ball, do not be the bat.

ور نه چون لطفت نماند وین جمال ** از تو آید آن حریفان را ملال‌‌

Otherwise, when this elegance and beauty remains with you no more, you will be loathed by those companions.

آن جماعت کت همی‌‌دادند ریو ** چون ببینندت بگویندت که دیو 1870

The set of people who used to flatter you deceitfully, when they behold you will call you a devil.

جمله گویندت چو بینندت به در ** مرده‌‌ای از گور خود بر کرد سر

When they see you at their doors, they all will cry, “Truly a dead man has risen from the grave.”

همچو امرد که خدا نامش کنند ** تا بدین سالوس در دامش کنند

(You will be) like the beardless youth whom they address as “Lord” that by this hypocrisy they may make entrap him.

چون که در بد نامی آمد ریش او ** دیو را ننگ آید از تفتیش او

As soon as he has grown a beard in infamy, the Devil is ashamed to search after him.

دیو سوی آدمی شد بهر شر ** سوی تو ناید که از دیوی بتر

The Devil approaches Man for the sake of wickedness: he does not approach you because you are worse than the Devil.

تا تو بودی آدمی دیو از پی‌‌ات ** می‌‌دوید و می‌‌چشانید او می‌‌ات‌‌ 1875

So long as you were a man the Devil was running at your heels and bidding you taste (his) wine.

چون شدی در خوی دیوی استوار ** می‌‌گریزد از تو دیو نابکار

Since you have become confirmed in devilry, the good-for-nothing Devil is fleeing from you!

آن که اندر دامنت آویخت او ** چون چنین گشتی ز تو بگریخت او

He who (formerly) clung to your skirt fled from you when you became like this.

تفسیر ما شاء الله کان‌‌

Explanation of (the Tradition) “Whatsoever God wills cometh to pass.”

این همه گفتیم لیک اندر بسیچ ** بی‌‌عنایات خدا هیچیم هیچ‌‌

We have spoken all these words, but in preparing ourselves (for the journey before us) we are naught, naught without the favours of God.

بی‌‌عنایات حق و خاصان حق ** گر ملک باشد سیاه استش ورق‌‌

Without the favours of God and God's elect ones, angel though he be, his page is black.

ای خدا ای فضل تو حاجت روا ** با تو یاد هیچ کس نبود روا 1880

O God, O Thou whose bounty fulfils (every) need, it is not allowable to mention any one beside Thee.

این قدر ارشاد تو بخشیده‌‌ای ** تا بدین بس عیب ما پوشیده‌‌ای‌‌

This amount of guidance Thou hast bestowed (upon us); till this (present time) Thou hast covered up many a fault of ours.

قطره‌‌ای دانش که بخشیدی ز پیش ** متصل گردان به دریاهای خویش‌‌

Cause the drop of knowledge which Thou gavest (us) heretofore to become united with Thy seas.

قطره‌‌ای علم است اندر جان من ** وارهانش از هوا وز خاک تن‌‌

In my soul there is a drop of knowledge: deliver it from sensuality and from the body's clay,

پیش از آن کاین خاکها خسفش کنند ** پیش از آن کاین بادها نشفش کنند

Before these clays drink it up, before these winds absorb it,

گر چه چون نشفش کند تو قادری ** کش از ایشان واستانی واخری‌‌ 1885

Although, when they absorb it, Thou art able to take it back from them and redeem it.

قطره‌‌ای کاو در هوا شد یا که ریخت ** از خزینه‌‌ی قدرت تو کی گریخت‌‌

The drop that vanished in the air or was spilled (on the earth)—when did it flee (escape) from the storehouse of Thy omnipotence?