Rumi's Masnavi - It is (said) in the Hadíth (Traditions of the Prophet): “Know, sire, that glorification (of God) from hypocrisy is like the verdure on a midden.”

It is (said) in the Hadíth (Traditions of the Prophet): “Know, sire, that glorification (of God) from hypocrisy is like the verdure on a midden.”

در حدیث آمد که تسبیح از ریا ** همچو سبزه‏ی گولخن دان ای کیا

Know, then, that a fair and goodly form with bad qualities (within) is not worth a farthing;

پس بدان که صورت خوب و نکو ** با خصال بد نیرزد یک تسو

And though the form be despicable and unpleasing, (yet) when his (that person's) disposition is good, die at his feet!

ور بود صورت حقیر و ناپذیر ** چون بود خلقش نکو در پاش میر

Know that the outward form passes away, (but) the world of reality remains for ever. 1020

صورت ظاهر فنا گردد بدان ** عالم معنی بماند جاودان‏

How long will you play at loving the shape of the jug? Leave the shape of the jug; go, seek the water.

چند بازی عشق با نقش سبو ** بگذر از نقش سبو رو آب جو

You have seen its (outward) form, you are unaware of the reality; pick out from the shell a pearl, if you are wise.

صورتش دیدی ز معنی غافلی ** از صدف دری گزین گر عاقلی‏

These shells of bodies in the world, though they all are living by (grace of) the Sea of Soul—

این صدفهای قوالب در جهان ** گر چه جمله زنده‏اند از بحر جان‏

Yet there is not a pearl in every shell: open your eyes and look into the heart of each one,

لیک اندر هر صدف نبود گهر ** چشم بگشا در دل هر یک نگر

And pick out what that one has and what this, because that costly pearl is seldom found. 1025

کان چه دارد وین چه دارد می‏گزین ** ز انکه کمیاب است آن در ثمین‏

If you go (turn your attention) to the form, by external appearance a mountain is a hundred times as much as a ruby in bigness;

گر به صورت می‏روی کوهی به شکل ** در بزرگی هست صد چندان که لعل‏