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
Luqmán's master (was) like a master outwardly; in reality he was a slave, and Luqmán was his master.
خواجهی لقمان به ظاهر خواجهوش ** در حقیقت بنده، لقمان خواجهاش
In the topsy-turvy world there is many a one of this (kind): a pearl is less than a straw in their sight.
در جهان باژگونه زین بسی است ** در نظرشان گوهری کم از خسی است
Every desert has been named mafáza (place of safety): a name and specious form has ensnared their understanding.
مر بیابان را مفازه نام شد ** نام و رنگی عقلشان را دام شد
In the case of one class of people, the dress makes (a man) known: (if he is dressed) in a qabá, they say that he belongs to the vulgar.
یک گره را خود معرف جامه است ** در قبا گویند کاو از عامه است
In the case of one class of people (the distinguishing mark is) the hypocritical appearance of asceticism; (but) light is needed, that (any one) may be a spy on asceticism (and detect its true character).1475
یک گره را ظاهر سالوس زهد ** نور باید تا بود جاسوس زهد
Light is needed, (a light) purged of cant and noxiousness, that he may know a man without (the evidence of) deed or word,
نور باید پاک از تقلید و غول ** تا شناسد مرد را بیفعل و قول