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.