One never says ‘Come’ to a stone: how should any one request a brickbat to keep faith?
سنگ را هرگز بگوید کس بیا ** از کلوخی کس کجا جوید وفا
One never says to a human being, ‘Hey, fly!’ or ‘Come, O blind man, and look at me!’
آدمی را کس نگوید هین بپر ** یا بیا ای کور تو در من نگر
God hath said, ‘There is nothing intolerable (laid) upon the blind’: how should the Lord who bestows relief lay upon any one what is intolerable?2970
گفت یزدان ما علی الاعمی حرج ** کی نهد بر کس حرج رب الفرج
Nobody says to a stone, ‘Thou hast come late’ or (to a stick), ‘Why didst thou strike a blow at me, O stick?’
کس نگوید سنگ را دیر آمدی ** یا که چوبا تو چرا بر من زدی
Will any one address demands like these to a person who is compelled, or strike a person who is excused (from complying with them)?
این چنین واجستها مجبور را ** کس بگوید یا زند معذور را
Command and prohibition and anger and conferment of honour and (bestowal of) rebuke concern him (only) who possesses the power of choice, O pure-bosomed one.
امر و نهی و خشم و تشریف و عتاب ** نیست جز مختار را ای پاک‌جیب
There is (such) a power of choice in regard to injustice and wrong-doing: this (is what) I meant by this Devil and carnal soul.
اختیاری هست در ظلم و ستم ** من ازین شیطان و نفس این خواستم
The power of choice resides in your inward part, (but) it does not wound its hand till it sees a Joseph.2975
اختیار اندر درونت ساکنست ** تا ندید او یوسفی کف را نخست
The power of choice and the instinct (to choose) were (latent) in the soul: (when) it beheld his (Joseph's) face, then it spread wings and pinions (to fly towards him).
اختیار و داعیه در نفس بود ** روش دید آنگه پر و بالی گشود
When the dog is asleep its power of choice is lost, (but) when it sees the tripe it wags its tail.