The self-restrained man deems his feathers to be naught, in order that his feathers may not cast him into calamity and bale.
نیست انگارد پر خود را صبور ** تا پرش در نفکند در شر و شور
Therefore his feathers are no harm to him: let him not tear them out, (for) if an arrow (of temptation) come (against him) he will present the shield (of self-restraint).
پس زیانش نیست پر گو بر مکن ** گر رسد تیری به پیش آرد مجن
But to me my beauteous feathers are an enemy, since I cannot restrain myself from making a display.
لیک بر من پر زیبا دشمنیست ** چونک از جلوه‌گری صبریم نیست
If self-restraint and safeguarding had been my guide, my (spiritual) conquest would have been increased by (the exercise of) free-will;655
گر بدی صبر و حفاظم راه‌بر ** بر فزودی ز اختیارم کر و فر
(But) in (the case of) temptations I am like a child or a drunken man: the sword is unsuitable (out of place) in my hand.
هم‌چو طفلم یا چو مست اندر فتن ** نیست لایق تیغ اندر دست من
Had I possessed an intellect and conscience (to restrain me), the sword in my hand would have been (a means of gaining) victory.
گر مرا عقلی بدی و منزجر ** تیغ اندر دست من بودی ظفر
An intellect giving light like the sun is needed to wield the sword that never misses the right direction.
عقل باید نورده چون آفتاب ** تا زند تیغی که نبود جز صواب
Since I do not possess a resplendent intellect and righteousness (in religion), why, then, should not I throw my weapons into the well?
چون ندارم عقل تابان و صلاح ** پس چرا در چاه نندازم سلاح
I now throw my sword and shield into the well; for (otherwise) they will become the weapons of my adversary.660
در چه اندازم کنون تیغ و مجن ** کین سلاح خصم من خواهد شدن
Since I do not possess strength and aid and support, he (the adversary) will seize my sword and smite me with it.
چون ندارم زور و یاری و سند ** تیغم او بستاند و بر من زند