A friend is like gold, tribulation is like the fire: the pure gold is glad in the heart of the fire.
دوست همچون زر بلا چون آتش است ** زر خالص در دل آتش خوش است
How Luqmán's master tested his sagacity.
امتحان کردن خواجهی لقمان زیرکی لقمان را
(Was it) not (the case) that (this happened) to Luqmán, who was a pure (unselfish) slave, and day and night was brisk in service?
نه که لقمان را که بندهی پاک بود ** روز و شب در بندگی چالاک بود
His master used to prefer him (to all others) in the work (of service) and deem him better than his own sons,
خواجهاش میداشتی در کار پیش ** بهترش دیدی ز فرزندان خویش
Because Luqmán, though he was slave-born, was the master (of himself) and was free from sensual desire.
ز انکه لقمان گر چه بنده زاد بود ** خواجه بود و از هوا آزاد بود
A certain king said to the Shaykh (spiritual Director) in conversation, “Ask me to bestow some bounty upon thee.”1465
گفت شاهی شیخ را اندر سخن ** چیزی از بخشش ز من درخواست کن
He answered, “O King, are not you ashamed to say such a thing to me? Come higher!
گفت ای شه شرم ناید مر ترا ** که چنین گویی مرا زین برتر آ
I have two slaves, and they are vile, and those two are rulers and lords over you.”
من دو بنده دارم و ایشان حقیر ** و آن دو بر تو حاکمانند و امیر
Said the King, “What are those two? This is a mistake.” He replied, “The one is anger and the other is lust.”
گفت شه آن دو چهاند این زلت است ** گفت آن یک خشم و دیگر شهوت است
Regard as a king him that is unconcerned with kingship, him whose light shines forth without moon or sun.
شاه آن دان کاو ز شاهی فارغ است ** بیمه و خورشید نورش بازغ است
(Only) that one whose essence is the treasury (of spiritual truths) possesses the treasury: (only) he that is an enemy to (his own) existence possesses (real) existence.1470
مخزن آن دارد که مخزن ذات اوست ** هستی او دارد که با هستی عدوست