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
When authority falls into the hands of one who has lost the (right) way, he deems it to be a high position (jáh), (but in reality) he has fallen into a pit (cháh).
حکم چون در دست گمراهی فتاد ** جاه پندارید در چاهی فتاد
He does not know the way, (yet) he acts as guide: his wicked spirit makes a world-conflagration.
راه نمی‌داند قلاووزی کند ** جان زشت او جهان‌سوزی کند
When (one who is as) a child in the Way of (spiritual) poverty assumes the part of an Elder (Director of souls), the ghoul of unblessedness seizes those who follow (him).
طفل راه فقر چون پیری گرفت ** پی‌روان را غول ادباری گرفت
“Come,” says he, “for I will show thee the moon”; (yet) that impure one never saw the moon.1450
که بیا تا ماه بنمایم ترا ** ماه را هرگز ندید آن بی‌صفا
How wilt thou show (the moon) when during (all) thy life thou hast not seen even the reflexion of the moon in the water, O half-baked dunce?
چون نمایی چون ندیدستی به عمر ** عکس مه در آب هم ای خام غمر
The foolish have become leaders, and from fear (of them) the wise have drawn their heads into the cloak.
احمقان سرور شدستند و ز بیم ** عاقلان سرها کشیده در گلیم
Commentary on "O thou that wrappest thyself."
تفسیر یا ایها المزمل
For this reason He (God) called the Prophet muzzammil (one who wraps himself), saying, “Come forth from the cloak, O thou who art fond of taking flight.
خواند مزمل نبی را زین سبب ** که برون آ از گلیم ای بوالهرب