Since something will (certainly) be lost in the water, take leave of the less (worse) and gain (possession of) the better.
چون که چیزی فوت خواهد شد در آب ** ترک کمتر گوی و بهتر را بیاب
How the excellence and sagacity of Luqmán became manifest to those who made trial (of him).
ظاهر شدن فضل و زیرکی لقمان پیش امتحان کنندگان
Whatever food they brought to him (Luqmán's master), he would send some one to Luqmán after (receiving it),1510
هر طعامی کاوریدندی به وی ** کس سوی لقمان فرستادی ز پی
That Luqmán might put his hand to (partake of) it, on purpose that the master might eat his (Luqmán's) leavings.
تا که لقمان دست سوی آن برد ** قاصدا تا خواجه پس خوردش خورد
He would eat his remnants and be enraptured: any food that he (Luqmán) did not taste, he (the master) would throw away;
سور او خوردی و شور انگیختی ** هر طعامی کاو نخوردی ریختی
Or if he ate (of it), (’twould be) without heart and without appetite: this is (the sign of) an affinity without end.
ور بخوردی بیدل و بیاشتها ** این بود پیوندی بیانتها
They had brought a melon as a present. “Go, my son” said he, “and call Luqmán.”
خربزه آورده بودند ارمغان ** گفت رو فرزند لقمان را بخوان
When he cut it and gave him a slice, he ate it as if it were sugar and honey.1515
چون برید و داد او را یک برین ** همچو شکر خوردش و چون انگبین
On account of the pleasure with which he ate (it), he gave him a second (slice), (and went on) till the slices (given him) reached the seventeenth.
از خوشی که خورد داد او را دوم ** تا رسید آن گرچها تا هفدهم
One slice remained. He said, “I will eat this (myself), so that I may see what a sweet melon this is.
ماند گرچی گفت این را من خورم ** تا چه شیرین خربزه ست این بنگرم
He (Luqmán) eats it with such pleasure that from his delight (all) natures have become eager and craving the morsel.”
او چنین خوش میخورد کز ذوق او ** طبعها شد مشتهی و لقمه جو
As soon as he (the master) ate it, by its sourness there was kindled fire (which) blistered his tongue and burnt his throat.
چون بخورد از تلخیش آتش فروخت ** هم زبان کرد آبله هم حلق سوخت
He became beside himself for a while on account of its sourness; after that, he said to him, “O (you who are) soul and world,1520
ساعتی بیخود شد از تلخی آن ** بعد از آن گفتش که ای جان و جهان
How did you make all this poison an antidote? How did you deem this cruelty to be kindness?
نوش چون کردی تو چندین زهر را ** لطف چون انگاشتی این قهر را
What patience is this? For what reason is this great fortitude? Or, perchance, in your opinion this life of yours is an enemy (which you would fain destroy).
این چه صبر است این صبوری از چه روست ** یا مگر پیش تو این جانت عدوست
Why did not you cunningly bring (forward) a plea, saying, ‘I have an excuse (for declining to eat): desist for a while’.”
چون نیاوردی به حیلت حجتی ** که مرا عذری است بس کن ساعتی
Luqmán said, “From thy munificent hand I have eaten so much that I am (bent) double with shame.
گفت من از دست نعمت بخش تو ** خوردهام چندان که از شرمم دو تو
I was ashamed not to eat one bitter thing from thy hand, O thou who art possessed of knowledge.1525
شرمم آمد که یکی تلخ از کفت ** من ننوشم ای تو صاحب معرفت
Since all parts of me have grown from thy bounty and are plunged in thy bait and snare—
چون همه اجزام از انعام تو ** رستهاند و غرق دانه و دام تو
If I make outcry and complaint because of one bitter thing, may the dust of a hundred roads be on (all) parts of me!
گر ز یک تلخی کنم فریاد و داد ** خاک صد ره بر سر اجزام باد
It (the melon) had the enjoyment of thy sugar-bestowing hand: how could it (such enjoyment) leave any bitterness in this melon?”
لذت دست شکر بخشت بداشت ** اندر این بطیخ تلخی کی گذاشت
By love bitter things become sweet; by love pieces of copper become golden;
از محبت تلخها شیرین شود ** از محبت مسها زرین شود
By love dregs become clear; by love pains become healing;1530
از محبت دردها صافی شود ** از محبت دردها شافی شود
By love the dead is made living; by love the king is made a slave.
از محبت مرده زنده میکنند ** از محبت شاه بنده میکنند
This love, moreover, is the result of knowledge: who (ever) sat in foolishness on such a throne?
این محبت هم نتیجهی دانش است ** کی گزافه بر چنین تختی نشست
On what occasion did deficient knowledge give birth to this love? Deficient (knowledge) gives birth to love, but (only love) for that which is (really) lifeless.
دانش ناقص کجا این عشق زاد ** عشق زاید ناقص اما بر جماد