Whosoever deems it (death) to be (lovely as) Joseph gives up his soul in ransom for it; whosoever deems it to be (like) the wolf turns back from (the path of) right guidance.
هر که یوسف دید جان کردش فدی ** هر که گرگش دید برگشت از هدی
Every one's death is of the same quality as himself, my lad: to the enemy (of God) an enemy, and to the friend (of God) a friend.
مرگ هر یک ای پسر همرنگ اوست ** پیش دشمن دشمن و بر دوست دوست
In the eyes of the Turcoman the mirror hath a fair colour; similarly in the eyes of the Ethiopian the mirror is (dark as) an Ethiopian.3440
پیش ترک آیینه را خوش رنگیست ** پیش زنگی آینه هم زنگیست
Your fear of death in fleeing (from it) is (really) your fear of yourself. Take heed, O (dear) soul!
آنک میترسی ز مرگ اندر فرار ** آن ز خود ترسانی ای جان هوش دار
’Tis your (own) ugly face, not the visage of Death: your spirit is like the tree, and death (is like) the leaf.
روی زشت تست نه رخسار مرگ ** جان تو همچون درخت و مرگ برگ
It has grown from you, whether it is good or evil: every hidden thought of yours, foul or fair, is (born) from yourself.
از تو رستست ار نکویست ار بدست ** ناخوش و خوش هر ضمیرت از خودست
If you are wounded by a thorn, you yourself have sown; and if you are (clad) in satin and silk, you yourself have spun.
گر بخاری خستهای خود کشتهای ** ور حریر و قزدری خود رشتهای
Know that the act is not of the same complexion as the requital: the service is nowise of the same complexion as the payment given (in return for it).3445
دانک نبود فعل همرنگ جزا ** هیچ خدمت نیست همرنگ عطا
The labourers' wage does not resemble the work, inasmuch as the latter is the accident, while the former is the substance and permanent.
مزد مزدوران نمیماند بکار ** کان عرض وین جوهرست و پایدار
The former is wholly hardship and effort and sweat, while the latter is wholly silver and gold and trays (of food).
آن همه سختی و زورست و عرق ** وین همه سیمست و زرست و طبق