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
The Prophet (Mohammed) said (something like) this, when he heard vituperation (from the infidels who asked), “Why is Ahmad (Mohammed) made fat (happy) by praise?”
این پیمبر گفت چون بشنید قدح ** که چرا فربه شود احمد به مدح