You, (occupied) in wandering and going about (in search of knowledge), are a preserving (recording) tablet; the preserved tablet is he that has passed beyond this.
لوح حافظ باشی اندر دور و گشت ** لوح محفوظ اوست کو زین در گذشت
The other intelligence is the gift of God: its fountain is in the midst of the soul.
عقل دیگر بخشش یزدان بود ** چشمه‌ی آن در میان جان بود
When the water of (God-given) knowledge gushes from the breast, it does not become fetid or old or yellow (impure);1965
چون ز سینه آب دانش جوش کرد ** نه شود گنده نه دیرینه نه زرد
And if its way of issue (to outside) be stopped, what harm? for it gushes continually from the house (of the heart).
ور ره نبعش بود بسته چه غم ** کو همی‌جوشد ز خانه دم به دم
The acquired intelligence is like the conduits which run into a house from the streets:
عقل تحصیلی مثال جویها ** کان رود در خانه‌ای از کویها
(If) its (the house’s) water-way is blocked, it is without any supply (of water) Seek the fountain from within yourself!
راه آبش بسته شد شد بی‌نوا ** از درون خویشتن جو چشمه را
Story that some one was consulting another, who said, "Consult some one else, for I am your enemy."
قصه‌ی آنک کسی به کسی مشورت می‌کرد گفتش مشورت با دیگری کن کی من عدوی توم
A certain person was consulting some one, that he might be delivered from perplexity and from a quandary.
مشورت می‌کرد شخصی با کسی ** کز تردد وا ردهد وز محبسی
“O man of good name,” he replied, “seek another, not me, and explain to him the matter for consultation.1970
گفت ای خوش‌نام غیر من بجو ** ماجرای مشورت با او بگو
I am an enemy to you: do not attach yourself to me; one is never successful (never wins success) from the counsel of an enemy.
من عدوم مر ترا با من مپیچ ** نبود از رای عدو پیروز هیچ
Go, seek one who is a friend to you: undoubtedly a friend seeks (what is) good for his friend.
رو کسی جو که ترا او هست دوست ** دوست بهر دوست لاشک خیرجوست