This, O obstinate man, is the story of the lake in which there were three great fishes.
قصه‌ی آن آبگیرست ای عنود ** که درو سه ماهی اشگرف بود
You will have read it in Kalíla, but that is (only) the husk of the story, while this is the spiritual kernel.
در کلیله خوانده باشی لیک آن ** قشر قصه باشد و این مغز جان
Some fishermen passed beside the lake and saw that concealed (prey).
چند صیادی سوی آن آبگیر ** برگذشتند و بدیدند آن ضمیر
Then they hastened to bring the net: the fishes noticed and became aware (of their intention).2205
پس شتابیدند تا دام آورند ** ماهیان واقف شدند و هوشمند
The intelligent one resolved to journey, resolved to make the difficult unwelcome journey.
آنک عاقل بود عزم راه کرد ** عزم راه مشکل ناخواه کرد
He said, “I will not consult these (others), for assuredly they will make me weak (deficient) in power (to fulfil my purpose).
گفت با اینها ندارم مشورت ** که یقین سستم کنند از مقدرت
Love of their native place and abode holds sway over their souls: their indolence and ignorance will strike on (affect) me.”
مهر زاد و بوم بر جانشان تند ** کاهلی و جهلشان بر من زند
For consultation, some goodly and (spiritually) living person is required, that he may make thee living; and where is that living one (to be found)?
مشورت را زنده‌ای باید نکو ** که ترا زنده کند وان زنده کو
O traveller, take counsel with a traveller, for a woman's counsel will keep thy foot lame.2210
ای مسافر با مسافر رای زن ** زانک پایت لنگ دارد رای زن
Pass on from the (literal) expression, “love of country”; do not stop (at its outward sense), for thy (real) country is Yonder, O soul: ’tis not on this side.
از دم حب الوطن بگذر مه‌ایست ** که وطن آن سوست جان این سوی نیست