- Bread and meat are (originally) clay: eat little thereof, that you may not remain in the earth, like clay.
- نان گل است و گوشت کمتر خور از این ** تا نمانی همچو گل اندر زمین
- When you become hungry, you become a dog: you become fierce and ill-tempered and ill-natured.
- چون گرسنه میشوی سگ میشوی ** تند و بد پیوند و بد رگ میشوی
- When you have eaten your fill, you have become a carcase: you have become devoid of understanding and without feet (inert), like a wall.
- چون شدی تو سیر مرداری شدی ** بیخبر بیپا چو دیواری شدی
- So at one time you are a carcase and at another time a dog: how will you run well in the road of the lions (follow the saints)? 2875
- پس دمی مردار و دیگر دم سگی ** چون کنی در راه شیران خوش تگی
- Know that your only means of hunting is the dog (the animal soul): throw bones to the dog but seldom,
- آلت اشکار خود جز سگ مدان ** کمترک انداز سگ را استخوان
- Because when the dog has eaten its fill, it becomes rebellious: how should it run to the goodly chase and hunt?
- ز آن که سگ چون سیر شد سرکش شود ** کی سوی صید و شکار خوش دود
- Want of food was leading the Arab till he arrived at that (exalted) court and that (high) fortune.
- آن عرب را بینوایی میکشید ** تا بدان درگاه و آن دولت رسید
- We have related in the (foregoing) story the kindness shown by the King to that needy one who had no refuge.
- در حکایت گفتهایم احسان شاه ** در حق آن بینوای بیپناه
- Whatsoever the man in love (with God) speaks, the scent of Love is springing from his mouth into the abode of Love. 2880
- هر چه گوید مرد عاشق بوی عشق ** از دهانش میجهد در کوی عشق
- If he speak (formal) theology, it all turns to (spiritual) poverty: the scent of poverty comes from that man of sweet and beguiling discourse.
- گر بگوید فقه فقر آید همه ** بوی فقر آید از آن خوش دمدمه
- And if he speak infidelity, it has the scent of (the true) religion, and if he speak doubtfully, his doubt turns to certainty.
- ور بگوید کفر دارد بوی دین ** ور به شک گوید شکش گردد یقین
- The perverse froth that has risen from a sea of sincerity— that branch (derivative) has been adorned by the pure root (source).
- کف کژ کز بحر صدقی خاسته است ** اصل صاف آن فرع را آراسته است
- Know that its froth is pure and worthy: know that it is like revilement from the lips of the beloved,
- آن کفش را صافی و محقوق دان ** همچو دشنام لب معشوق دان
- Whose unsought reproaches have become sweet (to the lover) for the sake of her cheek which he desires. 2885
- گشته آن دشنام نامطلوب او ** خوش ز بهر عارض محبوب او
- If he (the lover of God) speak falsehood, it seems (like) the truth. O (fine) falsehood that would adorn (even) the truth!
- گر بگوید کژ نماید راستی ** ای کژی که راست را آراستی
- If you cook (a confection) of sugar in the form of a loaf of bread, it will taste of candy, not of bread, while you are sucking it.
- از شکر گر شکل نانی میپزی ** طعم قند آید نه نان چون میمزی
- If a true believer find a golden idol, how should he leave it (there) for the sake of every idolator?
- ور بیابد مومنی زرین وثن ** کی هلد آن را برای هر شمن
- Nay, he will take it and cast it into the fire: he will break (destroy) its borrowed (unreal) form,
- بلکه گیرد اندر آتش افکند ** صورت عاریتش را بشکند
- In order that the idol-shape may not remain on the gold, because Form hinders and waylays (those who seek Reality). 2890
- تا نماند بر ذهب شکل وثن ** ز آن که صورت مانع است و راه زن
- The essence of its gold is the gift of Lordship (Divinity): the idol-stamp on the sterling gold is borrowed (unreal).
- ذات زرش ذات ربانیت است ** نقش بت بر نقد زر عاریت است
- Do not burn a blanket on account of a flea, and do not let the day go (to waste) on account of every gnat's headache.
- بهر کیکی تو گلیمی را مسوز ** وز صداع هر مگس مگذار روز
- You are an idol-worshipper when you remain in (bondage to) forms: leave its (the idol's) form and look at the reality.
- بت پرستی چون بمانی در صور ** صورتش بگذار و در معنی نگر
- If you are a man (bound) for the Pilgrimage, seek a pilgrim (as your) companion, whether he be a Hindoo or a Turcoman or an Arab.
- مرد حجی همره حاجی طلب ** خواه هندو خواه ترک و یا عرب
- Do not look at his figure and colour, look at his purpose and intention. 2895
- منگر اندر نقش و اندر رنگ او ** بنگر اندر عزم و در آهنگ او
- If he is black, (yet) he is in accord with you: call him white, for (spiritually) his complexion is the same as yours.
- گر سیاه است او هم آهنگ تو است ** تو سپیدش خوان که هم رنگ تو است