In the world thou hast three fellow-travellers: one is faithful and these two (others) are treacherous.1045
در زمانه مر ترا سه همره‌اند ** آن یکی وافی و این دو غدرمند
One (of the latter) is friends and the other is goods and chattels; and the third (fellow-traveller) is faithful, and that one is excellence in deeds.
آن یکی یاران و دیگر رخت و مال ** وآن سوم وافیست و آن حسن الفعال
(Thy) wealth will not come with thee out of thy palaces; (thy) friend will come, but he will come (only) as far as thy grave.
مال ناید با تو بیرون از قصور ** یار آید لیک آید تا به گور
When thy day of doom comes to meet thee, thy friend will say (to himself) in the language appropriate to his sentiments,
چون ترا روز اجل آید به پیش ** یار گوید از زبان حال خویش
“(I have come) as far as here: I accompany thee no farther, I will stand a (little) while at thy grave.”
تا بدینجا بیش همره نیستم ** بر سر گورت زمانی بیستم
Thy deeds (alone) are faithful: make of them thy refuge, for they will come with thee into the depths of the tomb.1050
فعل تو وافیست زو کن ملتحد ** که در آید با تو در قعر لحد
Commentary on the saying of Mustafá (Mohammed), on whom be peace, “Thou must needs have a familiar who is buried with thee, he being alive, and with whom thou art buried when thou art dead; if he be generous, he will treat thee generously, and if he be base, he will forsake thee. That familiar is thy works, so make them right as far as thou art able.” The Messenger of Allah spake the truth.
در تفسیر قول مصطفی علیه‌السلام لا بد من قرین یدفن معک و هو حی و تدفن معه و انت میت ان کان کریما اکرمک و ان کان لیما اسلمک و ذلک القرین عملک فاصلحه ما استطعت صدق رسول‌الله
Therefore the Prophet said, “For the purpose of (traversing) this Way there is no comrade more faithful than works.
پس پیمبر گفت بهر این طریق ** باوفاتر از عمل نبود رفیق
If they be good they will be thy friends for ever, and if they be evil they will be (as) a snake in thy tomb.”
گر بود نیکو ابد یارت شود ** ور بود بد در لحد مارت شود
How, O father, can one do this work and earning in the Way of righteousness without a master?
این عمل وین کسب در راه سداد ** کی توان کرد ای پدر بی‌اوستاد
The meanest earning that goes on in the world, is it ever (practised) without the guidance of a master?
دون‌ترین کسبی که در عالم رود ** هیچ بی‌ارشاد استادی بود