Whoever seeks (spiritual) sovereignty and victory, a mouthful of bread will not fail (him), O son.
هر که جوید پادشاهی و ظفر ** کم نیاید لقمه‌ی نان ای پسر
All wild animals, both the herbivorous and the predatory, are devourers of the (Divine) provision: they neither go in quest of work (to get a livelihood) nor do they support (the burden of) providing (for themselves).2390
دام و دد جمله همه اکال رزق ** نه پی کسپ‌اند نه حمال رزق
The Provider gives their daily bread to all: He lays before each one the portion allotted to him.
جمله را رزاق روزی می‌دهد ** قسمت هر یک به پیشش می‌نهد
The (Divine) provision comes to every one who seeks (to show) patience: the trouble of making efforts arises from your want of patience.”
رزق آید پیش هر که صبر جست ** رنج کوششها ز بی‌صبری تست
How the fox answered the ass.
جواب گفتن روبه خر را
The fox replied, “Such trust in God is exceptional: few are proficient in (the practice of) trust in God.
گفت روبه آن توکل نادرست ** کم کسی اندر توکل ماهرست
’Tis (a mark of) ignorance to concern one's self with the exceptional: how is the King's highway (available) for every one?
گرد نادر گشتن از نادانی است ** هر کسی را کی ره سلطانی است
Since the Prophet hath said that contentment is a treasure, how should the hidden treasure be gained by every one?2395
چون قناعت را پیمبر گنج گفت ** هر کسی را کی رسد گنج نهفت
Recognise your (proper) limit and do not fly aloft, lest you fall into the abyss of woe and bane.”
حد خود بشناس و بر بالا مپر ** تا نیفتی در نشیب شور و شر
How the ass answered the fox.
جواب گفتن خر روباه را
He (the ass) replied, “Know that you are speaking (just) the reverse (of the truth), (for) woe and bane come to the soul from cupidity.
گفت این معکوس می‌گویی بدان ** شور و شر از طمع آید سوی جان
No one was (ever) deprived of (spiritual) life by contentment; no one was (ever) made a (spiritual) king by covetousness.
از قناعت هیچ کس بی‌جان نشد ** از حریصی هیچ کس سلطان نشد