His (the fakir’s) knowledge of archery became a veil (barrier) to him, while (all the time) he had that object of desire present in his bosom.
علم تیراندازیش آمد حجاب ** وان مراد او را بده حاضر به جیب
Oh, how often have knowledge and keen wits and understandings become as (deadly as) the ghoul or brigand to the wayfarer!
ای بسا علم و ذکاوات و فطن ** گشته ره‌رو را چو غول و راه‌زن
Most of those destined for Paradise are simpletons (simple-minded), so that they escape from the mischief of philosophy.2370
بیشتر اصحاب جنت ابلهند ** تا ز شر فیلسوفی می‌رهند
Strip yourself of (useless) learning and vanity, in order that (the Divine) mercy may descend on you at every moment.
خویش را عریان کن از فضل و فضول ** تا کند رحمت به تو هر دم نزول
Cleverness is the opposite of abasement and supplication: give up cleverness and sort with stupidity.
زیرکی ضد شکستست و نیاز ** زیرکی بگذار و با گولی‌بساز
Know that cleverness is a trap for (a means of) gaining victory and (indulging) ambition and a scarecrow (such as is used by fowlers): why should the pure devotee wish to be clever?
زیرکی دان دام برد و طمع و گاز ** تا چه خواهد زیرکی را پاک‌باز
The clever ones are content with an ingenious device; the simple ones have gone (away) from the artifice to rest in the Artificer,
زیرکان با صنعتی قانع شده ** ابلهان از صنع در صانع شده
Because at breakfast time a mother will have laid the little child’s hands and feet (in repose) on her bosom.2375
زانک طفل خرد را مادر نهار ** دست و پا باشد نهاده بر کنار
Story of the three travellers—a Moslem, a Christian, and a Jew— who obtained (a gift of) some food at a hostelry. The Christian and the Jew had already eaten their fill, so they said, “Let us eat this food to-morrow.” The Moslem was fasting, and he remained hungry because he was overpowered (by his companions).
حکایت آن سه مسافر مسلمان و ترسا و جهود و آن کی به منزل قوتی یافتند و ترسا و جهود سیر بودند گفتند این قوت را فردا خوریم مسلمان صایم بود گرسنه ماند از آنک مغلوب بود
Here listen to a story, O son, in order that you may not suffer affliction in (relying upon) talent.
یک حکایت بشنو اینجا ای پسر ** تا نگردی ممتحن اندر هنر
As it happened, a Jew and a true believer and a Christian travelled together on a journey.
آن جهود و مومن و ترسا مگر ** همرهی کردند با هم در سفر