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
Often have I tested his understanding: that youth has shown (the ripe experience of) age in (handling) affairs.
عقل او را آزمودم بارها ** کرد پیری آن جوان در کارها
O son, the (really) old is the old in understanding: ‘tis not whiteness of the hair in the beard and on the head.
پیر پیر عقل باشد ای پسر ** نه سپیدی موی اندر ریش و سر
How should he (any old man) be older than Iblís? When he lacks understanding, he is good-for-naught.
از بلیس او پیرتر خود کی بود ** چونک عقلش نیست او لاشی بود
Suppose he is a child: (what matter) when he hath the (life-giving) breath of Jesus (and) is purged of vainglory and vain desire?2165
طفل گیرش چون بود عیسی نفس ** پاک باشد از غرور و از هوس