For his illness arises from doing the contrary to (his usual) habit: therefore seek the remedy for his illness in that which is habitual (to him).’
کز خلاف عادتست آن رنج او ** پس دوای رنجش از معتاد جو
He (the tanner), from carrying dung, has become like the dung-beetle: the dung-beetle is made insensible by rose-water.
چون جعل گشتست از سرگین‌کشی ** از گلاب آید جعل را بیهشی
The remedy for him consists in that same dog's dung to which he is habituated and accustomed.”
هم از آن سرگین سگ داروی اوست ** که بدان او را همی معتاد و خوست
Recite (the text), the wicked women for the wicked men: recognise (both) the front and the back of this saying.280
الخبیثات الخبیثین را بخوان ** رو و پشت این سخن را باز دان
The sincere mentors prepare medicine for him (the wicked man) with ambergris or rose-water to open the door (of Divine Mercy);
ناصحان او را به عنبر یا گلاب ** می دوا سازند بهر فتح باب
(But) sweet words will not do for the wicked: ’tis not fitting and suitable, O ye trusty ones!
مر خبیثان را نسازد طیبات ** درخور و لایق نباشد ای ثقات
When from the perfume of the Revelation they (the wicked infidels) became crooked (disordered in mind) and lost (in error), their lament was, “We augur evil from you.
چون زعطر وحی کژ گشتند و گم ** بد فغانشان که تطیرنا بکم
This discourse (of yours) is illness and sickness to us: your exhortation is not of good omen to us.
رنج و بیماریست ما را این مقال ** نیست نیکو وعظتان ما را به فال
If ye once begin to admonish (us) overtly, at that instant we will stone you.285
گر بیاغازید نصحی آشکار ** ما کنیم آن دم شما را سنگسار
We have waxed fat on frivolity and diversion: we have not steeped ourselves in admonition.
ما بلغو و لهو فربه گشته‌ایم ** در نصیحت خویش را نسرشته‌ایم