- As (for example) the hare who struck against the lion: how was his spirit analogous to his stature?
- همچو آن خرگوش کاو بر شیر زد ** روح او کی بود اندر خورد قد
- The lion from fury and rage was saying, “By means of my ear the enemy has bound up my eye.
- شیر می‌‌گفت از سر تیزی و خشم ** کز ره گوشم عدو بر بست چشم
- The tricks of the necessitarians have bound me (in captivity); their wooden sword has wounded my body.
- مکرهای جبریانم بسته کرد ** تیغ چوبینشان تنم را خسته کرد
- After this I will not hearken to their palaver: all that is (only meant to deceive, like) the cry of demons and ghouls.
- زین سپس من نشنوم آن دمدمه ** بانگ دیوان است و غولان آن همه
- O my heart, tear them to pieces, do not lag; rend their skins, for they have naught but skin.” 1095
- بردران ای دل تو ایشان را مه‌‌ایست ** پوستشان بر کن کشان جز پوست نیست
- What is skin? Specious words, like ripples on water which have no continuance.
- پوست چه بود گفتهای رنگ رنگ ** چون زره بر آب کش نبود درنگ
- Know that these words are as the skin (rind), and the meaning is (as) the kernel; these words are as the form, and the meaning is like the spirit.
- این سخن چون پوست و معنی مغز دان ** این سخن چون نقش و معنی همچو جان
- The skin hides the defect of the bad kernel; it (also) hides jealously the secrets of the good kernel.
- پوست باشد مغز بد را عیب پوش ** مغز نیکو را ز غیرت غیب پوش
- When the pen is of wind and the scroll of water, whatever you write perishes speedily;
- چون قلم از باد بد دفتر ز آب ** هر چه بنویسی فنا گردد شتاب
- It is written on water: if you seek constancy from it, you will return biting your hands (in disappointment). 1100
- نقش آب است ار وفا جویی از آن ** باز گردی دستهای خود گزان