Whether it (life) be pure (clear and untroubled) or whether it be a turbid flood, do not speak of it, since it is not enduring for a moment.2290
خواه صاف و خواه سیل تیره رو ** چون نمیپاید دمی از وی مگو
In this world thousands of animals are living happily, without up and down (anxiety).
اندر این عالم هزاران جانور ** میزید خوش عیش بیزیر و زبر
The dove on the tree is uttering thanks to God, though her food for the night is not (yet) ready.
شکر میگوید خدا را فاخته ** بر درخت و برگ شب ناساخته
The nightingale is singing glory to God (and saying), ‘I rely on Thee for my daily bread, O Thou who answerest (prayer).’
حمد میگوید خدا را عندلیب ** کاعتماد رزق بر تست ای مجیب
The falcon has made the king's hand his joy (the place in which he takes delight), and has given up hope of (has become indifferent to) all carrion.
باز دست شاه را کرده نوید ** از همه مردار ببریده امید
Similarly you may take (every animal) from the gnat to the elephant: they all have become God's family (dependent on Him for their nourishment), and what an excellent nourisher is God!2295
همچنین از پشهگیری تا به پیل ** شد عیال الله و حق نعم المعیل
All these griefs that are within our breasts arise from the vapour and dust of our existence and wind (vain desire).
این همه غمها که اندر سینههاست ** از بخار و گرد بود و باد ماست
These uprooting griefs are as a scythe to us: (to think that) this is such and such or that that is such and such is a temptation (of the Devil) to us.
این غمان بیخ کن چون داس ماست ** این چنین شد و آن چنان وسواس ماست
Know that every pain is a piece of Death: expel (that) part of Death from thee, if there be a means (of doing so).
دان که هر رنجی ز مردن پارهای است ** جزو مرگ از خود بران گر چارهای است
When thou canst not flee from the part of Death, know that the whole of it will be poured upon thy head.
چون ز جزو مرگ نتوانی گریخت ** دان که کلش بر سرت خواهند ریخت
If the part of Death has become sweet to thee, know that God will make the whole sweet.2300
جزو مرگ ار گشت شیرین مر ترا ** دان که شیرین میکند کل را خدا
Pains are coming from Death as (his) messengers: do not avert thy face from his messenger, O foolish one!
دردها از مرگ میآید رسول ** از رسولش رو مگردان ای فضول
Whoever lives sweetly (pleasantly) dies bitterly (painfully): whoever serves his body does not save his soul.
هر که شیرین میزید او تلخ مرد ** هر که او تن را پرستد جان نبرد
Sheep are driven from the plains (to the town): they kill those that are fattest.
گوسفندان را ز صحرا میکشند ** آن که فربه تر مر آن را میکشند
The night is past and dawn is come. O my soul, how long wilt thou take up (again) this tale of gold from the beginning?
شب گذشت و صبح آمد ای تمر ** چند گیری این فسانهی زر ز سر
Thou wert young (once), and (then) thou wert more contented: (now) thou hast become a seeker of gold, (but) at first thou wert gold indeed (precious and perfect).2305
تو جوان بودی و قانعتر بدی ** زر طلب گشتی خود اول زر بدی
Thou wert a fruitful vine: how hast thou become unsaleable (worthless)? How hast thou become rotten when thy fruit is ripening?
رز بدی پر میوه چون کاسد شدی ** وقت میوه پختنت فاسد شدی
Thy fruit ought to become sweeter and not move farther backwards like rope-makers.
میوهات باید که شیرینتر شود ** چون رسن تابان نه واپستر رود
Thou art my wife: the wife must be of the same quality (as the husband) in order that things may go rightly.
جفت مایی جفت باید هم صفت ** تا بر آید کارها با مصلحت
The married pair must match one another: look at a pair of shoes or boots.
جفت باید بر مثال همدگر ** در دو جفت کفش و موزه در نگر
If one of the shoes is too tight for the foot, the pair of them is of no use to thee.2310
گر یکی کفش از دو تنگ آید بپا ** هر دو جفتش کار ناید مر ترا
Hast thou ever seen one leaf of a (folding) door small and the other large, or a wolf mated with the lion of the jungle?
جفت در یک خرد و آن دیگر بزرگ ** جفت شیر بیشه دیدی هیچ گرگ
A pair of sacks on a camel do not balance properly when one is empty and one full to the brim.
راست ناید بر شتر جفت جوال ** آن یکی خالی و این پر مال مال
I march with stout heart towards contentment: why art thou betaking thyself to revilement?”
من روم سوی قناعت دل قوی ** تو چرا سوی شناعت میروی
In this fashion the contented man, moved by sincerity and ardour, was talking to his wife till daybreak.
مرد قانع از سر اخلاص و سوز ** زین نسق میگفت با زن تا به روز
How the wife counselled her husband, saying, "Don't talk in excess of (beyond) thy merit and (spiritual) rank—'why say ye that which ye do not?'—for although these words are true, yet thou hast not attained to the degree of trust in God, and to speak thus above thy station and devotional practice is harmful and 'exceedingly hateful in the sight of God.'"
نصیحت کردن زن مر شوی را که سخن افزون از قدم و از مقام خود مگو لم تقولون ما لا تفعلونکه این سخنها اگر چه راست است این مقام توکل ترا نیست و این سخن گفتن فوق مقام و معاملهی خود زیان دارد و کبر مقتا عند الله باشد