None dares either steal (take away) a single letter thereof or add to the plain Word.
زهره نی کس را که یک حرفی از آن ** یا بدزدد یا فزاید در بیان
Become a friend to the conqueror, that thou mayst conquer: beware, do not become a friend to the vanquished, O misguided man!
یار غالب شو که تا غالب شوی ** یار مغلوبان مشو هین ای غوی
The unbeliever's argument is just this, that he says, “I see no place of abode except this external (world).”
حجت منکر همین آمد که من ** غیر این ظاهر نمی‌بینم وطن
He never reflects that, wherever there is anything external, that (object) gives information of hidden wise purposes.
هیچ نندیشد که هر جا ظاهریست ** آن ز حکمتهای پنهان مخبریست
The usefulness of every external object is, indeed, internal: it is latent, like the beneficial quality in medicines.2880
فایده‌ی هر ظاهری خود باطنیست ** هم‌چو نفع اندر دواها کامنست
Commentary on the Verse, "And We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them save with real ground": (i.e.) "I did not create them for the sake of just this which ye see; nay, but for the sake of the essential meaning and everlasting providence which ye see not."
تفسیر این آیت کی و ما خلقنا السموات والارض و ما بینهما الا بالحق نیافریدمشان بهر همین کی شما می‌بینید بلک بهر معنی و حکمت باقیه کی شما نمی‌بینید آن را
Does any painter paint a beautiful picture for the sake of the picture itself, without hope of conferring benefit?
هیچ نقاشی نگارد زین نقش ** بی امید نفع بهر عین نقش
Nay, (he paints it) for the sake of guests and young people who by diverting themselves (with it) may be relieved from cares.
بلک بهر میهمانان و کهان ** که به فرجه وارهند از اندهان
From his picture (arises) the joy of children and the remembering of departed friend's by their friends.
شادی بچگان و یاد دوستان ** دوستان رفته را از نقش آن
Does any potter make a pot in haste for the sake of the pot itself and not in hope of the water?
هیچ کوزه‌گر کند کوزه شتاب ** بهر عین کوزه نه بر بوی آب
Does any bowl-maker make a finished bowl for the sake of the bowl itself and not for the sake of the food?2885
هیچ کاسه گر کند کاسه تمام ** بهر عین کاسه نه بهر طعام
Does any calligrapher write artistically for the sake of the writing itself and not for the sake of the reading?
هیچ خطاطی نویسد خط به فن ** بهر عین خط نه بهر خواندن
The external form is for the sake of the unseen form; and that took shape for the sake of another unseen (form).
نقش ظاهر بهر نقش غایبست ** وان برای غایب دیگر ببست
Count up these corollaries to the third, fourth, or tenth in proportion to (your) insight.
تا سوم چارم دهم بر می‌شمر ** این فواید را به مقدار نظر
As (for example) the moves in chess, O son: behold the result of each move in the next one.
هم‌چو بازیهای شطرنج ای پسر ** فایده‌ی هر لعب در تالی نگر
They made this (move) for the sake of that concealed move, and that for the next, and that (again) for such and such.2890
این نهادند بهر آن لعب نهان ** وان برای آن و آن بهر فلان
Even so (proceed), having perceived reasons within reasons, one after the other, in order that you may arrive at victory and checkmate.
هم‌چنین دیده جهات اندر جهات ** در پی هم تا رسی در برد و مات
The first is for the sake of the second, like mounting on the steps of a ladder;
اول از بهر دوم باشد چنان ** که شدن بر پایه‌های نردبان
And deem the second to be for the sake of the third, (and so on) to the end, in order that you may arrive, step by step, at the roof.
و آن دوم بهر سوم می‌دان تمام ** تا رسی تو پایه پایه تا به بام
The desire to eat is for the sake of the semen: that semen is for the sake of procreation and the light (which glows in the eyes of parents).
شهوت خوردن ز بهر آن منی ** آن منی از بهر نسل و روشنی
The man of dull sight sees naught but this: his intelligence is without motion, like the plants of the earth.2895
کندبینش می‌نبیند غیر این ** عقل او بی‌سیر چون نبت زمین
Whether the plant is summoned (to move) or not summoned, its foot remains stuck fast in the mud.
نبت را چه خوانده چه ناخوانده ** هست پای او به گل در مانده
If its head move with the motion of the wind, go, be not deceived by its moving its head.
گر سرش جنبد پیر باد رو ** تو به سر جنبانیش غره مشو
Its head says, “We obey, O zephyr!” Its foot says, “We refuse to obey: let us alone!”
آن سرش گوید سمعنا ای صبا ** پای او گوید عصینا خلنا
Since he (the man of dull sight) does not know how to move (on the Way to God), he advances like the vulgar, stepping (forward) on trust, like a blind man.
چون ندارد سیر می‌راند چون عام ** بر توکل می‌نهد چون کور گام
Consider what comes of acting on trust in warfare: (it is vain) like the trust of dice-players.2900
بر توکل تا چه آید در نبرد ** چون توکل کردن اصحاب نرد