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
This story has been told up and down (confusedly), like the thoughts of lovers, without foot (end) or head (beginning).
این حکایت گفته شد زیر و زبر ** همچو فکر عاشقان بیپا و سر
It hath no head, inasmuch as it existed before eternity; it hath no foot: it has (always) been akin to everlastingness.
سر ندارد چون ز ازل بوده ست پیش ** پا ندارد با ابد بوده ست خویش
Nay, it is like water: every drop thereof is both head and foot, and at the same time without both.
بلکه چون آب است هر قطره از آن ** هم سر است و پا و هم بیهردوان
This is not a story, mark you! God forbid! This is the ready money (presentation, here and now) of my state and yours. Consider (it) well,2900
حاش لله این حکایت نیست هین ** نقد حال ما و تست این خوش ببین
Because the Súfí is grand and glorious (in his spiritual vision): whatever is past is not remembered (does not enter his mind).
ز آن که صوفی با کر و با فر بود ** هر چه آن ماضی است لا یذکر بود
We are both the Arab and the jug and the King; we are all: he that has been turned away from it (the Truth) shall be turned away.
هم عرب ما هم سبو ما هم ملک ** جمله ما يؤفک عنه من أفک
Know that the husband is Reason, and this wife is the appetitive soul and cupidity: these twain are dark and deniers (of Reason); Reason is the (bright) candle.
عقل را شو دان و زن را نفس و طمع ** این دو ظلمانی و منکر عقل شمع
Now hear the origin of their denial, whence it arose: (it arose) from the fact that the Whole hath various parts.
بشنو اکنون اصل انکار از چه خاست ** ز آن که کل را گونه گونه جزوهاست
The parts of the Whole are not parts in relation to the Whole — (they are) not like the scent of the rose, which is a part of the rose.2905
جزو کل نی جزوها نسبت به کل ** نی چو بوی گل که باشد جزو گل
The beauty of (all) green herbs is a part of the Rose's beauty, the coo of the turtle-dove is a part of that Nightingale.
لطف سبزه جزو لطف گل بود ** بانگ قمری جزو آن بلبل بود
If I become occupied with a difficulty (difficult question) and the answer (explanation), how shall I be able to give water to the thirsty?
گر شوم مشغول اشکال و جواب ** تشنگان را کی توانم داد آب
If you are wholly perplexed and in straits, have patience: patience is the key to joy.
گر تو اشکالی به کلی و حرج ** صبر کن الصبر مفتاح الفرج
Abstain from (distracting) thoughts, abstain: thought is (like) the lion and the wild ass, and (men's) hearts are the thickets (which they haunt).
احتما کن احتما ز اندیشهها ** فکر شیر و گور و دلها بیشهها
Acts of abstinence are superior to medicines, because scratching is an increase (aggravation) of the itch.2910
احتماها بر دواها سرور است ** ز آن که خاریدن فزونی گر است