- The more you cudgel it, the more it thrives: it grows fat on blows of the stick.
- تا که چوبش می‌زنی به می‌شود ** او ز زخم چوب فربه می‌شود
- Assuredly the true believer's soul is a porcupine, for it is (made) stout and fat by the blows of tribulation.
- نفس مومن اشغری آمد یقین ** کو به زخم رنج زفتست و سمین
- For this reason the tribulation and abasement (laid) upon the prophets is greater than (that laid upon) all the (other) creatures in the world, 100
- زین سبب بر انبیا رنج و شکست ** از همه خلق جهان افزونترست
- So that their souls became stouter than (all other) souls; for no other class of people suffered that affliction.
- تا ز جانها جانشان شد زفت‌تر ** که ندیدند آن بلا قوم دگر
- The hide is afflicted by the medicine (tan-liquor), (but) it becomes sweet like Tá’if leather;
- پوست از دارو بلاکش می‌شود ** چون ادیم طایفی خوش می‌شود
- And if he (the tanner) did not rub the bitter and acrid (liquor) into it, it would become fetid, unpleasant, and foul-smelling.
- ورنه تلخ و تیز مالیدی درو ** گنده گشتی ناخوش و ناپاک بو
- Know that Man is an untanned hide, made noisome and gross by humours.
- آدمی را پوست نامدبوغ دان ** از رطوبتها شده زشت و گران
- Give (him) bitter and acrid (discipline) and much rubbing (tribulation), that he may become pure and lovely and exceedingly strong; 105
- تلخ و تیز و مالش بسیار ده ** تا شود پاک و لطیف و با فره
- But if you cannot (mortify yourself), be content, O cunning one, if God give you tribulation without choice (on your part),
- ور نمی‌توانی رضا ده ای عیار ** گر خدا رنجت دهد بی‌اختیار
- For affliction (sent) by the Friend is (the means of) your being purified: His knowledge is above your contrivance.
- که بلای دوست تطهیر شماست ** علم او بالای تدبیر شماست