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
That whiteness of hair is a proof of maturity to the bandaged eye that hath little penetration.
آن سپیدی مو دلیل پختگیست ** پیش چشم بسته کش کوته‌تگیست
Since the blind imitator recognises nothing but (an external) proof, he continually seeks the way (to the truth) in the (out ward) sign.
آن مقلد چون نداند جز دلیل ** در علامت جوید او دایم سبیل
For his sake we have said, ‘When you wish to plan (anything), choose an elder (to advise you).’
بهر او گفتیم که تدبیر را ** چونک خواهی کرد بگزین پیر را
He who has escaped from the purdah of blind imitation sees by the light of God that which (really) is.
آنک او از پرده‌ی تقلید جست ** او به نور حق ببیند آنچ هست
Without proof and without exposition the pure Light cleaves its (the object’s) skin and enters into the middle (the core).2170
نور پاکش بی‌دلیل و بی‌بیان ** پوست بشکافد در آید در میان
To one who regards (only) the appearance, what is (the difference between) the adulterated and genuine coin? How should he know what is in the date-basket?
پیش ظاهربین چه قلب و چه سره ** او چه داند چیست اندر قوصره