From God came (the text), “Verily, opinion doth not enable (you) to dispense (with the Truth)”: when did the steed of opinion run (mount) to the Heavens?
از حق إن الظن لا يغنی رسید ** مرکب ظن بر فلک‌‌ها کی دوید
While preferring (in case of doubt) the stronger of the two (alternative) opinions, do not doubt whether you see the sun when it is shining!
اغلب الظنین فی ترجیح ذا ** لا تماری الشمس فی توضیحها
At that time (when the spirit returns to God) behold your steeds! Ye have made a steed of your own foot.
آن گهی بینید مرکبهای خویش ** مرکبی سازیده‌‌اید از پای خویش
Come, recognise that your imagination and reflection and sense-perception and apprehension are like the reed-cane on which children ride.3445
وهم و فکر و حس و ادراک شما ** همچو نی دان مرکب کودک هلا
The sciences of the mystics bear them (aloft); the sciences of sensual men are burdens to them.
علمهای اهل دل حمالشان ** علمهای اهل تن احمالشان
When knowledge strikes on the heart (is acquired through mystical experience), it becomes a helper (yárí); when knowledge strikes on the body (is acquired through the senses), it becomes a burden (bárí).
علم چون بر دل زند یاری شود ** علم چون بر تن زند باری شود
God hath said, “(Like an ass) laden with his books”: burdensome is the knowledge that is not from Himself.
گفت ایزد یحمل اسفاره ** بار باشد علم کان نبود ز هو
The knowledge that is not immediately from Himself does not endure, (it is) like the tire woman's paint.
علم کان نبود ز هو بی‌‌واسطه ** آن نپاید همچو رنگ ماشطه