تا چون زن عشوه خری ای بیخرد ** از دروغ و عشوه کی یابی مدد
So long as thou wouldst fain be wheedled like a woman, O man without wisdom, (thou wilt remain imperfect): how wilt thou be helped by lies and wheedling?
چاپلوس و لفظ شیرین و فریب ** میستانی مینهی چون زر به جیب
Thou art taking flattery and sweet words and cajolement and putting them, like a woman, in thy bosom.
مر ترا دشنام و سیلی شهان ** بهتر آید از ثنای گمرهان2585
For thee the revilings and blows of the (spiritual) kings would be better than the praise of the unrighteous.
صفع شاهان خور مخور شهد خسان ** تا کسی گردی ز اقبال کسان
Swallow the slaps of the (spiritual) kings, do not swallow the honey of the rabble, to the end that through the fortune of (those) personages thou mayst (thyself) become a personage;
ز آنک از ایشان خلعت و دولت رسد ** در پناه روح جان گردد جسد
Because from them come felicity and robes of honour and felicity: under the shelter of the spirit, body becomes soul.
هر کجا بینی برهنه و بینوا ** دان که او بگریخته ست از اوستا
Wherever thou seest one (that is) naked and destitute, know that he hath fled from the (spiritual) master,
تا چنان گردد که میخواهد دلش ** آن دل کور بد بیحاصلش
In order that he may become such as his heart desires––that blind, wicked, worthless heart of him.
گر چنان گشتی که استا خواستی ** خویش را و خویش را آراستی2590
If he had become such as his master desired, he would have graced himself and his kindred.
هر که از استا گریزد در جهان ** او ز دولت میگریزد این بدان
Whoever in the world flees from his master is fleeing from felicity. Know this (for sure)!