The reflexion (cast) from goodly friends is necessary until you become, without (the aid of any) reflexion, a drawer of water from the Sea.
عکس چندان باید از یاران خوش ** که شوی از بحر بیعکس آب کش
Know that the reflexion first cast is (only) imitation, (but) when it has become successive (continually recurrent) it turns into (direct) realisation (of the truth).
عکس کاول زد تو آن تقلید دان ** چون پیاپی شد شود تحقیق آن
Until it has become realisation, do not part from the friends (by whom you are guided); do not break away from the shell: the rain-drop has not (yet) become a pearl.
تا نشد تحقیق از یاران مبر ** از صدف مگسل نگشت آن قطره در
If you wish eye and understanding and hearing to be pure, tear in pieces the curtains of selfish desire,
صاف خواهی چشم و عقل و سمع را ** بر دران تو پردههای طمع را
Because the Súfí's imitation, (which arose) from desire, debarred his understanding from the light and radiance.570
ز انکه آن تقلید صوفی از طمع ** عقل او بر بست از نور و لمع
Desire for the viands and desire for that delight (shown by the Súfís) and for the samá‘ hindered his understanding from (gaining) knowledge (of what had happened).
طمع لوت و طمع آن ذوق و سماع ** مانع آمد عقل او را ز اطلاع
If desire were to arise in the mirror, that mirror would be like us in (respect of) hypocrisy.
گر طمع در آینه برخاستی ** در نفاق آن آینه چون ماستی
If the balance had desire for riches, how would the balance give a true description of the case?
گر ترازو را طمع بودی به مال ** راست کی گفتی ترازو وصف حال
Every prophet has said in sincerity to his people, “I ask not from you the wages for my message.
هر نبیی گفت با قوم از صفا ** من نخواهم مزد پیغام از شما
I am (only) a guide; God is your purchaser: God has appointed me to act as broker on both sides.575
من دلیلم حق شما را مشتری ** داد حق دلالیم هر دو سری