As the fleeting world passes in mortal sorrow, both the bright days of joy and the dark hours of grief inevitably find their end. He who girds his loins in pursuit of insatiable greed prolongs the burdens of this world beyond endurance. Though seeking renown and high status is worthy—even if it means braving the dragon's fiery breath—one must remember that this transient inn, whether vast or narrow, grants no lasting stay. Those who bow as slaves to desire and seek bitter vengeance shall win no praise from anyone in all the earth. When the erect cypress bends with age in the garden of life, its brilliant lamp dims to darkness; its leaves wither, its roots grow fragile, and its crown stoops low toward the dust. Man springs from the soil and to the soil he returns; all around him lies a realm of dread, grief, and perpetual care. The true treasure of a person endowed with wisdom and dignity is to harm none and live unburdened by greed. Knowledge and truthfulness form the bedrock of the soul; without them, the spirit sinks into decay. Though a man should abide long in this mortal realm, the weariness of the flesh will at last compel his departure. This world is a fathomless ocean with no shore in sight, its storehouse of secrets locked away without a key. However much wealth one gathers, thirst for more persists, yet even that which has been consumed will one day bring torment. Three things alone are indispensable to human life, and none can reproach a soul for seeking them: food to sustain the body, raiment to clothe it, and a shelter to rest. Once one passes beyond these three basic needs, all else becomes toil and avarice. Knowing that this realm abides for no one, why strain the sweet soul for that which must fade? Enjoy what is possessed and crave no excess, for unbridled greed diminishes a noble man's honor.
#1
جهان چون به زاری برآید همی
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بد و نیک روزی سرآید همی
“As the world passes away in lamentation, both good and evil days shall inevitably reach their end.”
#2
چو بستی کمر بر در راه آز
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شود کار گیتیت یکسر دراز
“When you gird your loins in pursuit of greed, the cares of the realm will become endlessly prolonged for you.”
#3
به یک روی جستن بلندی سزاست
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اگر در میان دم اژدهاست
“In one regard, seeking high honor is worthy, even if it lie within the very jaws of a dragon.”
#4
و دیگر که گیتی ندارد درنگ
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سرای سپنجی چه پهن و چه تنگ
“And yet, this world hath no permanence; whether vast or narrow, it remains but a transient inn.”
#5
پرستنده ی آز و جویای کین
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به گیتی ز کس نشنود آفرین
“Whosoever worships greed and seeks revenge shall hear praise from none in all the world.”
#6
چو سرو سهی گوژ گردد به باغ
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بدو بر شود تیره روشن چراغ
“When the tall cypress grows bent in the garden, its bright lamp turns dim and dark.”
#7
کند برگ پژمرده و بیخ سست
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سرش سوی پستی گراید نخست
“Its leaves wither and its roots grow feeble, as its crown bends first toward the lowly earth.”
#8
بروید ز خاک و شود باز خاک
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همه جای ترسست و تیمار و باک
“Man springs from the dust and to dust he returns; all around him is dread, grief, and sorrow.”
#9
سر مایهٔ مرد سنگ و خرد
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ز گیتی بی‌آزاری اندر خورد
“The true capital of a person of wisdom and dignity is to live harmlessly in this world.”
#10
در دانش و آنگهی راستی
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گرین دو نیابی روان کاستی
“Seek first the door of knowledge, and then truthfulness; if these two are lacking, the soul falls into decay.”
#11
اگر خود بمانی به گیتی دراز
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ز رنج تن آید به رفتن نیاز
“Though you abide long in this world, at last the afflictions of the body will compel your departure.”
#12
یکی ژرف دریاست بن ناپدید
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در گنج رازش ندارد کلید
“The world is a fathomless ocean with no bottom in sight; no key exists to unlock the treasure-store of its secrets.”
#13
اگر چند یابی فزون بایدت
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همان خورده یک روز بگزایدت
“However much you obtain, you will crave more, yet even what you have consumed shall one day cause you harm.”
#14
سه چیزت بباید کز آن چاره نیست
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وزو بر سرت نیز پیغاره نیست
“Three things alone are indispensable to thee, and none can reproach thee for seeking them:”
#15
خوری گر بپوشی و گر گستری
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سزد گر به دیگر سخن ننگری
“Food to eat, raiment to wear, and a bed to spread; it is fitting if thou turnest thy gaze away from all else.”
#16
چو زین سه گذشتی همه رنج و آز
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چه در آز پیچی چه اندر نیاز
“Once thou passest beyond these three, all else is toil and greed; whether bound by covetousness or by dire need.”
#17
چو دانی که بر تو نماند جهان
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چه پیچی تو زان جای نوشین روان
“When thou knowest this world abides not for thee, why strain thy sweet soul for that which must pass?”
#18
بخور آنچه داری و بیشی مجوی
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که از آز کاهد همی آبروی
“Enjoy that which thou hast and seek not excess, for insatiable greed diminisheth a noble man's honor.”