Thou hast heard (the text) “in the sky is your daily bread”. Wherefore hast thou stuck to this low place?
فی السماء رزقکم بشنیدهای ** اندر این پستی چه بر چفسیدهای
Deem thy fear and despair to be the voice of the ghoul drawing thine ear (down) to the abyss of degradation.
ترس و نومیدیت دان آواز غول ** میکشد گوش تو تا قعر سفول
Every call that draws thee upward—know that that call has come from on high.
هر ندایی که ترا بالا کشید ** آن ندا میدان که از بالا رسید
Every call that excites cupidity in thee—know that it is the howl of the wolf which tears men (to pieces).
هر ندایی که ترا حرص آورد ** بانگ گرگی دان که او مردم درد
This (afore-mentioned) height is not (high) in respect of position; these “heights” are towards (refer to) mind and spirit.1960
این بلندی نیست از روی مکان ** این بلندیهاست سوی عقل و جان
Every cause is higher than the effect: the stone and iron (from which fire is struck) are superior to the sparks.
هر سبب بالاتر آمد از اثر ** سنگ و آهن فایق آمد بر شرر
Such and such a person is (really) seated above that one who lifts up his head so haughtily, though in appearance he is seated beside him.
آن فلانی فوق آن سرکش نشست ** گر چه در صورت به پهلویش نشست
The superiority of that (person's) place is in respect of (his spiritual) nobility; the place (that is) far from the (spiritual) seat of honour is held in slight regard.
فوقی آن جاست از روی شرف ** جای دور از صدر باشد مستخف
Forasmuch as the stone and iron are prior in action, the superiority of these twain is proper;
سنگ و آهن زین جهت که سابق است ** در عمل فوقی این دو لایق است
But those sparks, in respect of their being the final cause, are from this point of view far in front of (superior to) the iron and stone.1965
و آن شرر از روی مقصودی خویش ** ز آهن و سنگ است زین رو پیش و بیش