- You have shot an arrow to the right and have seen your arrow go to the left.
- تیر سوی راست پرانیده‌ای ** سوی چپ رفتست تیرت دیده‌ای
- You have ridden in chase of a deer and have made yourself the prey of a hog.
- سوی آهویی به صیدی تاختی ** خویش را تو صید خوکی ساختی
- You have run after some gain for the purpose of stuffing yourself: the gain has not reached (you) and you have been cast into prison. 3685
- در پی سودی دویده بهر کبس ** نارسیده سود افتاده به حبس
- You have dug pits for others and have seen yourself fall into them.
- چاهها کنده برای دیگران ** خویش را دیده فتاده اندر آن
- Since the Lord has disappointed you in regard to the means (of obtaining your desire), then why do not you become suspicious of the means?
- در سبب چون بی‌مرادت کرد رب ** پس چرا بدظن نگردی در سبب
- Many a one has become an emperor by dint of toil, while (many) another has been made destitute by that (same) toil.
- بس کسی از مکسبی خاقان شده ** دیگری زان مکسبه عریان شده
- Many a one has been made (rich as) Qárún by marriage, and many a one has been made bankrupt by marriage.
- بس کس از عقد زنان قارون شده ** بس کس از عقد زنان مدیون شده
- The means, then, is turning about, like the tail of an ass: ’tis better not to rely upon it. 3690
- پس سبب گردان چو دم خر بود ** تکیه بر وی کم کنی بهتر بود
- And if you take the means, you should not take it boldly, for beneath it there are many hidden banes.
- ور سبب گیری نگیری هم دلیر ** که بس آفت‌هاست پنهانش به زیر
- This prudence and precaution is the gist of the saving clause, for this (Divine) decree (often) makes the ass appear to be a goat.
- سر استثناست این حزم و حذر ** زانک خر را بز نماید این قدر