- Prudence is this, that when they (worldlings) invite you, you should not say, “They are enamoured and fond of me.” 230
- حزم آن باشد که چون دعوت کنند ** تو نگویی مست و خواهان منند
- Know that their invitation is (like) the bird's whistle which the fowler gives (while) concealed in (his) place of ambush:
- دعوت ایشان صفیر مرغ دان ** که کند صیاد در مکمن نهان
- He has put forward a dead bird, (pretending) that this (bird) is making this plaintive noise and cry.
- مرغ مرده پیش بنهاده که این ** میکند این بانگ و آواز و حنین
- The birds think he is one of their kind: they gather round, and he rends their skins—
- مرغ پندارد که جنس اوست او ** جمع آید بر دردشان پوست او
- Except, no doubt, the bird on which God has bestowed prudence, so that it may not be fooled by that bait and enticement.
- جز مگر مرغی که حزمش داد حق ** تا نگردد گیج آن دانه و ملق
- Imprudence is assuredly (attended by) repentance. Hear the following story in explanation of this. 235
- هست بی حزمی پشیمانی یقین ** بشنو این افسانه را در شرح این
- How the countryman deceived the townsman and invited him with humble entreaties and great importunity.
- فریفتن روستایی شهری را و بدعوت خواندن بلابه و الحاح بسیار
- In the past, O brother, there was a townsman (who was) intimate with a countryman.
- ای برادر بود اندر ما مضی ** شهریی با روستایی آشنا
- Whenever the countryman came to town, he would pitch his tent in the street of the townsman.
- روستایی چون سوی شهر آمدی ** خرگه اندر کوی آن شهری زدی
- He would be his guest for two or three months, he would be in his shop and at his table,
- دو مه و سه ماه مهمانش بدی ** بر دکان او و بر خوانش بدی
- And the townsman would provide, free of cost, everything that he wanted during that time.
- هر حوایج را که بودش آن زمان ** راست کردی مرد شهری رایگان