- He would have set him free at the first, but he sought to content (comply with the wish of) Luqmán,
- مر و را آزاد کردی از نخست ** لیک خشنودی لقمان را بجست
- Because it was Luqmán's desire (to remain a slave), in order that none might know the secret of that brave and generous youth.
- ز انکه لقمان را مراد این بود تا ** کس نداند سر آن شیر و فتی
- What wonder (is it) if you hide your secret from the evil (one)? The wonder is this, that you should hide the secret from yourself. 1500
- چه عجب گر سر ز بد پنهان کنی ** این عجب که سر ز خود پنهان کنی
- Hide your work from your own eyes, that your work may be safe from the evil eye.
- کار پنهان کن تو از چشمان خود ** تا بود کارت سلیم از چشم بد
- Yield yourself up to the snare of the (Divine) reward, and then, (being) beside yourself, steal something from yourself.
- خویش را تسلیم کن بر دام مزد ** و انگه از خود بیز خود چیزی بدزد
- They give opium to the wounded man, in order that they may extract the point (of a spear or arrow) from his body.
- میدهند افیون به مرد زخممند ** تا که پیکان از تنش بیرون کنند
- At the hour of death he is torn with pain; he becomes preoccupied with that, and (meanwhile) his spirit (life) is taken away.
- وقت مرگ از رنج او را میدرند ** او بدان مشغول شد جان میبرند
- Inasmuch as, to whatsoever thought you give up your mind, something will secretly be taken away from you, 1505
- چون به هر فکری که دل خواهی سپرد ** از تو چیزی در نهان خواهند برد
- Whatsoever acquisition you may make, O solicitous one, the thief will enter from the side where you feel safe,
- هر چه اندیشی و تحصیلی کنی ** میدرآید دزد از آن سو کایمنی
- Become occupied, therefore, with that which is better, in order that the thief may take away from you something that is less (in worth).
- پس بدان مشغول شو کان بهتر است ** تا ز تو چیزی برد کان بهتر است