عقل او را آزمودم بارها ** کرد پیری آن جوان در کارها
Often have I tested his understanding: that youth has shown (the ripe experience of) age in (handling) affairs.
پیر پیر عقل باشد ای پسر ** نه سپیدی موی اندر ریش و سر
O son, the (really) old is the old in understanding: ‘tis not whiteness of the hair in the beard and on the head.
از بلیس او پیرتر خود کی بود ** چونک عقلش نیست او لاشی بود
How should he (any old man) be older than Iblís? When he lacks understanding, he is good-for-naught.
طفل گیرش چون بود عیسی نفس ** پاک باشد از غرور و از هوس2165
Suppose he is a child: (what matter) when he hath the (life-giving) breath of Jesus (and) is purged of vainglory and vain desire?
آن سپیدی مو دلیل پختگیست ** پیش چشم بسته کش کوته‌تگیست
That whiteness of hair is a proof of maturity to the bandaged eye that hath little penetration.
آن مقلد چون نداند جز دلیل ** در علامت جوید او دایم سبیل
Since the blind imitator recognises nothing but (an external) proof, he continually seeks the way (to the truth) in the (out ward) sign.
بهر او گفتیم که تدبیر را ** چونک خواهی کرد بگزین پیر را
For his sake we have said, ‘When you wish to plan (anything), choose an elder (to advise you).’
آنک او از پرده‌ی تقلید جست ** او به نور حق ببیند آنچ هست
He who has escaped from the purdah of blind imitation sees by the light of God that which (really) is.
نور پاکش بی‌دلیل و بی‌بیان ** پوست بشکافد در آید در میان2170
Without proof and without exposition the pure Light cleaves its (the object’s) skin and enters into the middle (the core).
پیش ظاهربین چه قلب و چه سره ** او چه داند چیست اندر قوصره
To one who regards (only) the appearance, what is (the difference between) the adulterated and genuine coin? How should he know what is in the date-basket?