At first a man is greedy for bread, because food and bread are the pillar (support) of life.
آدمی اول حریص نان بود ** زانک قوت و نان ستون جان بود
On account of greed and expectation he runs every risk in the way of earning his livelihood and seizing property by violence and (employing) a hundred devices.1190
سوی کسب و سوی غصب و صد حیل ** جان نهاده بر کف از حرص و امل
When, (as happens) rarely, he becomes independent of (earning his) bread, he is in love with fame and the praise of poets,
چون بنادر گشت مستغنی ز نان ** عاشق نامست و مدح شاعران
In order that they may give fruit to (may adorn) his root and branch and may set up a pulpit to declare his excellence,
تا که اصل و فصل او را بر دهند ** در بیان فضل او منبر نهند
So that his pomp and magnificence and lavishing of gold may yield a perfume, like (that of) ambergris, in (their) song.
تا که کر و فر و زر بخشی او ** هم‌چو عنبر بو دهد در گفت و گو
God created us in His image: our qualities are instructed by (are modeled upon) His qualities.
خلق ما بر صورت خود کرد حق ** وصف ما از وصف او گیرد سبق
Inasmuch as the Creator desires thanksgiving and glorification, it is also the nature of man to desire praise,1195
چونک آن خلاق شکر و حمدجوست ** آدمی را مدح‌جویی نیز خوست
Especially the man of God, who is active in (showing) excellence: he becomes filled with that wind (of praise), like an undamaged leathern bag;
خاصه مرد حق که در فضلست چست ** پر شود زان باد چون خیک درست
But if he (the recipient of praise) be not worthy, the bag is rent by that wind of falsehood: how should it receive lustre?
ور نباشد اهل زان باد دروغ ** خیک بدریدست کی گیرد فروغ
I have not invented this parable, O comrade: do not hear it (as though it were) silly, if thou art worthy and restored to thy senses.
این مثل از خود نگفتم ای رفیق ** سرسری مشنو چو اهلی و مفیق