- Where (in what position) is one that praises the king in his presence, compared with one that is shamefaced in absence (from him)?
- کو که مدح شاه گوید پیش او ** تا که در غیبت بود او شرم رو
- The governor of a fortress who, on the border of the kingdom, far from the sultan and the shadow (protection) of the sultanate, 3635
- قلعه داری کز کنار مملکت ** دور از سلطان و سایه‌‌ی سلطنت
- Guards the fortress from enemies and will not sell it for boundless riches,
- پاس دارد قلعه را از دشمنان ** قلعه نفروشد به مال بی‌‌کران
- Who, though absent from the king on the outskirt of the frontiers, keeps faith (with him) like one who is present—
- غایب از شه در کنار ثغرها ** همچو حاضر او نگه دارد وفا
- He in the king's sight is better than the rest who are serving in his presence and ready to devote their lives.
- پیش شه او به بود از دیگران ** که به خدمت حاضرند و جان فشان
- Therefore half an atom of regard to one's duty in absence is better than a hundred thousand fold observance thereof in presence.
- پس به غیبت نیم ذره‌‌ی حفظ کار ** به که اندر حاضری ز آن صد هزار
- Obedience (to God) and faith are praiseworthy now; after death, when all is plainly shown, they will be spurned. 3640
- طاعت و ایمان کنون محمود شد ** بعد مرگ اندر عیان مردود شد
- “Inasmuch as the unseen and the absent and the veil are better, close thy lips, and the lip is better silent.
- چون که غیب و غایب و رو پوش به ** پس لبان بر بند لب خاموش به
- O brother, refrain from speech: God himself will make manifest the knowledge that is with Him (in His possession).
- ای برادر دست وا دار از سخن ** خود خدا پیدا کند علم لدن
- Witness enough for the sun is its face: what thing is the greatest witness (of all)? God.”
- بس بود خورشید را رویش گواه ** أی شی‌‌ء أعظم الشاهد إله