Rumi's Masnavi - Know that your only means of hunting is the dog (the animal soul): throw bones to the dog but seldom,

Know that your only means of hunting is the dog (the animal soul): throw bones to the dog but seldom,

آلت اشکار خود جز سگ مدان ** کمترک انداز سگ را استخوان‌‌

Because when the dog has eaten its fill, it becomes rebellious: how should it run to the goodly chase and hunt?

ز آن که سگ چون سیر شد سرکش شود ** کی سوی صید و شکار خوش دود

Want of food was leading the Arab till he arrived at that (exalted) court and that (high) fortune.

آن عرب را بی‌‌نوایی می‌‌کشید ** تا بدان درگاه و آن دولت رسید

We have related in the (foregoing) story the kindness shown by the King to that needy one who had no refuge.

در حکایت گفته‌‌ایم احسان شاه ** در حق آن بی‌‌نوای بی‌‌پناه‌‌

Whatsoever the man in love (with God) speaks, the scent of Love is springing from his mouth into the abode of Love. 2880

هر چه گوید مرد عاشق بوی عشق ** از دهانش می‌‌جهد در کوی عشق‌‌

If he speak (formal) theology, it all turns to (spiritual) poverty: the scent of poverty comes from that man of sweet and beguiling discourse.

گر بگوید فقه فقر آید همه ** بوی فقر آید از آن خوش دمدمه‌‌

And if he speak infidelity, it has the scent of (the true) religion, and if he speak doubtfully, his doubt turns to certainty.

ور بگوید کفر دارد بوی دین ** ور به شک گوید شکش گردد یقین‌‌

The perverse froth that has risen from a sea of sincerity— that branch (derivative) has been adorned by the pure root (source).

کف کژ کز بحر صدقی خاسته است ** اصل صاف آن فرع را آراسته است‌‌

Know that its froth is pure and worthy: know that it is like revilement from the lips of the beloved,

آن کفش را صافی و محقوق دان ** همچو دشنام لب معشوق دان‌‌

Whose unsought reproaches have become sweet (to the lover) for the sake of her cheek which he desires. 2885

گشته آن دشنام نامطلوب او ** خوش ز بهر عارض محبوب او