It is better to put a sword in the hand of an intoxicated negro than that knowledge should come into the possession of a worthless person.
تیغ دادن در کف زنگی مست ** به که آید علم ناکس را به دست
Knowledge and wealth and office’ and rank and fortune are a mischief in the hands of the evil-natured.
علم و مال و منصب و جاه و قران ** فتنه آمد در کف بدگوهران
Therefore the Holy War was made obligatory on the true believers for this purpose, (namely) that they might take the spear-point from the hand of the madman.
پس غزا زین فرض شد بر مومنان ** تا ستانند از کف مجنون سنان
His (the evil-natured man's) spirit is (like) the madman, and his body is (like) his (the madman's) sword: take away the sword from that wicked man!1440
جان او مجنون تنش شمشیر او ** واستان شمشیر را زان زشت‌خو
How should a hundred lions inflict the shame which (high) office inflicts upon the ignorant?
آنچ منصب می‌کند با جاهلان ** از فضیحت کی کند صد ارسلان
His vice is hidden, (but) when he got the instrument (gained power), his snake, (coming out) from its hole, sped along the plain.
عیب او مخفیست چون آلت بیافت ** مارش از سوراخ بر صحرا شتافت
The entire plain is filled with snakes and scorpions when the ignorant man becomes king (master) of the bitter (harsh) decree.
جمله صحرا مار و کزدم پر شود ** چونک جاهل شاه حکم مر شود
The worthless person who acquires wealth and office has become the seeker of his own disgrace.
مال و منصب ناکسی که آرد به دست ** طالب رسوایی خویش او شدست
Either he behaves stingily and gives few presents, or he shows generosity and bestows (them) in the wrong place (unsuitably).1445
یا کند بخل و عطاها کم دهد ** یا سخا آرد بنا موضع نهد
He puts the king in the house (square) of the pawn: the gifts which a fool makes are like this.
شاه را در خانه‌ی بیذق نهد ** این چنین باشد عطا که احمق دهد