(But) from your breath (words) comes the smell of a bad conscience, and your (inward) pain is reflected from your head and face, O braggart!
بوی سر بد بیاید از دمت ** وز سر و رو تابد ای لافی غمت
In the battle-field (of this world) there are sagacious ones who know (distinguish) the smell: do not in (your) presumption idly utter (imitate) the ecstatic cries (of the true enthusiasts).
بوشناسانند حاذق در مصاف ** تو به جلدی های هو کم کن گزاف
Do not brag of musk, for that smell of onions is revealing the secret (true nature) of your breath (words and professions).1775
تو ملاف از مشک کان بوی پیاز ** از دم تو می‌کند مکشوف راز
You are saying, “I have eaten rose-sugar,” while the smell of garlic is striking (your hearers) and saying (in effect), “Don't talk nonsense.”
گل‌شکر خوردم همی‌گویی و بوی ** می‌زند از سیر که یافه مگوی
The heart is like unto a great house: the house of the heart hath neighbours concealed (from view):
Through the window-slit and (crevices in) the walls they observe the hidden thoughts—
از شکاف روزن و دیوارها ** مطلع گردند بر اسرار ما
Through a slit whereof the owner of the house hath no conception and in which he hath no share.
از شکافی که ندارد هیچ وهم ** صاحب خانه و ندارد هیچ سهم
Recite from the Qur’án (the verse which declares) that the Devil and his tribe secretly get scent of (become acquainted with) the (inward) state of humankind,1780
از نبی بر خوان که دیو و قوم او ** می‌برند از حال انسی خفیه بو
By a way of which humankind are ignorant, because it is not of this sensible (world) or one of these semblances (phenomenal objects).
از رهی که انس از آن آگاه نیست ** زانک زین محسوس و زین اشباه نیست
Do not devise any fraud amongst the assayers: do not address any idle boast to the touchstone, O base spurious coin.
در میان ناقدان زرقی متن ** با محک ای قلب دون لافی مزن