Rumi's Masnavi - The worm that is born miserably in (dry) wood––how should it know the wood at the time when it was a (sappy) shoot?

The worm that is born miserably in (dry) wood––how should it know the wood at the time when it was a (sappy) shoot?

کرم کاندر چوب زاید سست حال ** کی بداند چوب را وقت نهال‏

And if the worm should know (this), it would be intellect in its essential substance; the worm would be (only) its (outward) form.

ور بداند کرم از ماهیتش ** عقل باشد کرم باشد صورتش‏

Intellect shows itself (in many) guises, (but) like the Jinn is leagues removed from them (in its real nature).

عقل خود را می‏نماید رنگها ** چون پری دور است از آن فرسنگ‏ها

It is above the angels––what occasion is there for (comparing it with) the Jinn? (But) you have the wings of a gnat, you are flying downwards. 2325

از ملک بالاست چه جای پری ** تو مگس پری به پستی می‏پری‏

Although your intellect is flying upward, the bird of your conventional notions is feeding below.

گر چه عقلت سوی بالا می‏پرد ** مرغ تقلیدت به پستی می‏چرد

Conventional knowledge is the bane of our souls; it is a borrowed thing, but we rest (at ease in the belief) that it is ours.

علم تقلیدی وبال جان ماست ** عاریه ست و ما نشسته کان ماست‏

It behoves us to become ignorant of this (worldly) wisdom; (rather) must we clutch at madness.

زین خرد جاهل همی باید شدن ** دست در دیوانگی باید زدن‏

Always flee from whatever you deem profitable to your (lower) self: drink poison and spill the water of life.

هر چه بینی سود خود ز آن می‏گریز ** زهر نوش و آب حیوان را بریز

Revile any one that praises you: lend (both) interest and capital to the destitute. 2330

هر که بستاند ترا دشنام ده ** سود و سرمایه به مفلس وام ده‏

Let safety go, and dwell in the place of fear (danger): leave reputation behind and be disgraced and notorious.

ایمنی بگذار و جای خوف باش ** بگذر از ناموس و رسوا باش و فاش‏