Every sudden chastisement that has come to pass has taken place on the edge of the turret of enjoyment.
هر نکالی ناگهان کان آمدست ** بر کنار کنگره‌ی شادی بدست
Indeed there is no fall except (on) the edge of the roof: (take) warning from (the fate of) the people of Noah and the people of Lot.
جز کنار بام خود نبود سقوط ** اعتبار از قوم نوح و قوم لوط
Explaining the cause of the eloquence and loquacity of that impertinent man in the presence of the Prophet, on whom be peace.
بیان سبب فصاحت و بسیارگویی آن فضول به خدمت رسول علیه‌السلام
When the ray (reflexion) of the Prophet's boundless intoxication struck (the objector), that stupid fellow also became drunken and merry.
پرتو مستی بی‌حد نبی ** چون بزد هم مست و خوش گشت آن غبی
Of course, in consequence of (drunken) glee he became loquacious: the intoxicated man neglected (to observe) respect and began to rave.2155
لاجرم بسیارگو شد از نشاط ** مست ادب بگذاشت آمد در خباط
Not on every occasion does selflessness (intoxication) work mischief, (but) wine makes the unmannerly person more so.
نه همه جا بی‌خودی شر می‌کند ** بی‌ادب را می چنان‌تر می‌کند
If he (the wine-drinker) be intelligent, he becomes decorous (displays goodly qualities when beside himself); and if he be evil-natured, he becomes worse.
گر بود عاقل نکو فر می‌شود ** ور بود بدخوی بتر می‌شود
But since the majority are evil and reprobate, wine has been forbidden to all.
لیک اغلب چون بدند و ناپسند ** بر همه می را محرم کرده‌اند
How the Prophet, on whom be peace, explained the cause of his preferring and choosing the (young) man of Hudhayl as commander and chief of the army over the heads of the elders and veterans.
بیان رسول علیه السلام سبب تفضیل و اختیار کردن او آن هذیلی را به امیری و سرلشکری بر پیران و کاردیدگان
Cases are decided by the general rule (not by the exceptions):since the majority are evil, the sword was taken away from the hand of the highwayman.
حکم اغلب راست چون غالب بدند ** تیغ را از دست ره‌زن بستدند
The Prophet said, “O thou who lookest on externals, do not regard him as a youth and unskilled.2160
گفت پیغامبر کای ظاهرنگر ** تو مبین او را جوان و بی‌هنر
Oh, there is many a black beard and the man (its owner) old (in wisdom); oh, there is many a white beard with a heart (black) as pitch.
ای بسا ریش سیاه و مردت پیر ** ای بسا ریش سپید و دل چو قیر