So long as thou wouldst fain be wheedled like a woman, O man without wisdom, (thou wilt remain imperfect): how wilt thou be helped by lies and wheedling?
تا چون زن عشوه خری ای بیخرد ** از دروغ و عشوه کی یابی مدد
Thou art taking flattery and sweet words and cajolement and putting them, like a woman, in thy bosom.
چاپلوس و لفظ شیرین و فریب ** میستانی مینهی چون زر به جیب
For thee the revilings and blows of the (spiritual) kings would be better than the praise of the unrighteous.2585
مر ترا دشنام و سیلی شهان ** بهتر آید از ثنای گمرهان
Swallow the slaps of the (spiritual) kings, do not swallow the honey of the rabble, to the end that through the fortune of (those) personages thou mayst (thyself) become a personage;
صفع شاهان خور مخور شهد خسان ** تا کسی گردی ز اقبال کسان
Because from them come felicity and robes of honour and felicity: under the shelter of the spirit, body becomes soul.
ز آنک از ایشان خلعت و دولت رسد ** در پناه روح جان گردد جسد
Wherever thou seest one (that is) naked and destitute, know that he hath fled from the (spiritual) master,
هر کجا بینی برهنه و بینوا ** دان که او بگریخته ست از اوستا
In order that he may become such as his heart desires––that blind, wicked, worthless heart of him.
تا چنان گردد که میخواهد دلش ** آن دل کور بد بیحاصلش
If he had become such as his master desired, he would have graced himself and his kindred.2590
گر چنان گشتی که استا خواستی ** خویش را و خویش را آراستی
Whoever in the world flees from his master is fleeing from felicity. Know this (for sure)!
هر که از استا گریزد در جهان ** او ز دولت میگریزد این بدان
Thou hast learned a trade to earn a livelihood for the body: (now) set thy hand to a religious (spiritual) trade.