چون فضولی گشت و دست و پا نمود ** در عنا افتاد و در کور و کبود

When he became a busybody and plied hand and foot (exerted himself), he fell into trouble and wretchedness.

جانهای خلق پیش از دست و پا ** می‌‌پریدند از وفا اندر صفا 925

The spirits of created beings, before (the creation of) hand and foot, by reason of their faithfulness were flying in (the realm of) purity;

چون به امر اهبطوا بندی شدند ** حبس خشم و حرص و خرسندی شدند

When they were constrained by the (Divine) command, Get ye down, they became engaoled in anger and covetousness and contentment.

ما عیال حضرتیم و شیر خواه ** گفت الخلق عیال للإله‌‌

We are the family of the Lord and craving after milk (like infants): he (the Prophet) said, ‘The people are God's family.’

آن که او از آسمان باران دهد ** هم تواند کاو ز رحمت نان دهد

He who gives rain from heaven is also able, from His mercy, to give us bread.”

باز ترجیح‌‌نهادن شیر جهد را بر توکل‌‌

How the lion pronounced exertion to be superior to trust in God.

گفت شیر آری ولی رب العباد ** نردبانی پیش پای ما نهاد

“Yes,” said the lion; “but the Lord of His servants set a ladder before our feet.

پایه پایه رفت باید سوی بام ** هست جبری بودن اینجا طمع خام‌‌ 930

Step by step must we climb towards the roof: to be a necessitarian here is (to indulge in) foolish hopes.

پای داری چون کنی خود را تو لنگ ** دست داری چون کنی پنهان تو چنگ‌‌

You have feet: why do you make yourself out to be lame? you have hands: why do you conceal the fingers (whereby you grasp)?

خواجه چون بیلی به دست بنده داد ** بی‌‌زبان معلوم شد او را مراد

When the master put a spade in the slave's hand, his object was made known to him (the slave) without (a word falling from his) tongue.

دست همچون بیل اشارتهای اوست ** آخر اندیشی عبارتهای اوست‌‌

Hand and spade alike are His (God's) implicit signs; (our powers of) thinking upon the end are His explicit declarations.