#1
به گفتار این نامدار اردشیر
✦
همه گوش دارید برنا و پیر
“Incline your ears, both young and old, unto the words of the renowned Ardashir.”
#2
هرانکس که داند که دادار هست
✦
نباشد مگر پاک و یزدان پرست
“Whoever knows that the Creator exists will be none other than pure and a worshipper of God.”
#3
دگر آنک دانش مگیرید خوار
✦
اگر زیردستست و گر شهریار
“Furthermore, do not hold knowledge in low esteem, whether it comes from a subordinate or a king.”
#4
سه دیگر بدانی که هرگز سخن
✦
نگردد بر مرد دانا کهن
“Thirdly, know that wise counsel never grows old in the mind of the sage.”
#5
چهارم چنان دان که بیم گناه
✦
فزون باشد از بند و زندان شاه
“Fourthly, know that the dread of committing sin should be greater than the fear of the king's bonds and prison.”
#6
به پنجم سخن مردم زشت‌گوی
✦
نگیرد به نزد کسان آب‌روی
“Fifthly, the foul-spoken person will never gain honor or dignity among others.”
#7
بگویم یکی تازه اندرز نیز
✦
کجا برتر از دیده و جان و چیز
“I shall give yet another fresh counsel, which is higher than sight, life, and possessions.”
#8
خنک آنک آباد دارد جهان
✦
بود آشکارای او چون نهان
“Blessed is he who keeps the world prosperous, and whose private self matches his public character.”
#9
دگر آنک دارند آواز نرم
✦
خرد دارد و شرم و گفتار گرم
“And fortunate is he who speaks in soft tones, possessing wisdom, modesty, and warm speech.”
#10
به پیش کسان سیم از بهر لاف
✦
به بیهوده بپراگند بر گزاف
“He who squanders silver before others merely to boast and spend recklessly,”
#11
ز مردم ندارد کسی زان سپاس
✦
نبپسندد آن مرد یزدان شناس
“Will earn no gratitude from people, nor will any God-conscious man approve of it.”
#12
میانه گزینی بمانی به جای
✦
خردمند خوانند و پاکیزه‌رای
“If you choose moderation, you will endure; men will call you wise and of pure mind.”
#13
کزین بگذری پنج رایست پیش
✦
کجا تازه گردد ترا دین وکیش
“Beyond this, five principles lie ahead by which your faith and creed will be renewed,”
#14
تن آسانی و شادی افزایدت
✦
که با شهد او زهر نگزایدت
“Increasing your comfort and joy, so that along with its honey no poison will sting you.”
#15
یکی آنک از بخشش دادگر
✦
به آز و به کوشش نیابی گذر
“First: that which is ordained by the Just Creator cannot be altered or bypassed through greed or striving.”
#16
توانگر شود هرک خرسند گشت
✦
گل نوبهارش برومند گشت
“Whoever becomes content becomes truly rich; the blossom of his early spring turns fruitful.”
#17
دگر بشکنی گردن آز را
✦
نگویی به پیش زنان راز را
“Second: break the neck of avarice, and never reveal your secrets before women.”
#18
سه دیگر ننازی به ننگ و نبرد
✦
که ننگ ونبرد آورد رنج و درد
“Third: do not boast of strife and shame, for battle and strife yield only grief and pain.”
#19
چهارم که دل دور داری ز غم
✦
ز نا آمده دل نداری دژم
“Fourth: keep your heart far from sorrow, and do not let your spirit be distressed over what has not yet come.”
#20
نه پیچی به کاری که کار تو نیست
✦
نتازی بدان کو شکار تو نیست
“Fifth: do not turn to a business that is not yours, nor chase after prey that is not yours to hunt.”
#21
همه گوش دارید پند مرا
✦
سخن گفتن سودمند مرا
“Incline your ears unto my counsel and my beneficial words.”
#22
بود بر دل هرکسی ارجمند
✦
که یابند ازو ایمنی از گزند
“They shall be precious to the heart of everyone, granting them safety from harm.”
#23
زمانی میاسای ز آموختن
✦
اگر جان همی خواهی افروختن
“Do not rest a single moment from learning if you wish to kindle the brightness of your soul.”
#24
چو فرزند باشد به فرهنگ دار
✦
زمانه ز بازی برو تنگ دار
“When you have a child, raise them with culture and discipline; narrow their time for idle play.”
#25
همه یاد دارید گفتار ما
✦
کشیدن بدین کار تیمار ما
“Keep all our teachings in your memory, and appreciate the care we have taken in this matter.”
#26
هرآن کس که با داد و روشن دلید
✦
از آمیزش یکدگر مگسلید
“Whoever among you is just and bright of heart, never sever your bonds with one another.”
#27
دل آرام دارید بر چار چیز
✦
کزو خوبی و سودمندیست نیز
“Rest your heart upon four pillars, from which spring true goodness and benefit.”
#28
یکی بیم و آزرم و شرم خدای
✦
که باشد ترا یاور و رهنمای
“One: the fear, reverence, and awe of God, who shall be your helper and guiding light.”
#29
دگر داد دادن تن خویش را
✦
نگه داشتن دامن خویش را
“Second: doing justice to yourself, and keeping your skirt free from uncleanness.”
#30
به فرمان یزدان دل آراستن
✦
مرا چون تن خویشتن خواستن
“Adorning your heart by God's command, and wishing for me what you would wish for your own self.”
#31
سه دیگر که پیدا کنی راستی
✦
بدور افگنی کژی و کاستی
“Third: manifesting truthfulness, and casting away all deceit and shortcomings.”
#32
چهارم که از رای شاه جهان
✦
نپیچی دلت آشکار و نهان
“Fourth: never turning your heart away from the counsel of the King of the World, openly or in secret.”
#33
ورا چون تن خویش خواهی به مهر
✦
به فرمان او تازه گردد سپهر
“If you love him as your own body with true affection, the heavens will grow fresh under his command.”
#34
دلت بسته داری به پیمان اوی
✦
روان را نپیچی ز فرمان اوی
“Keep your heart bound to his covenant, and never turn your soul away from his decree.”
#35
برو مهر داری چو بر جان خویش
✦
چو با داد بینی نگهبان خویش
“Love him as your own spirit, whenever you see him protecting you with justice.”
#36
غم پادشاهی جهانجوی راست
✦
ز گیتی فزونی سگالد نه کاست
“The concern of world-seeking kingship rests upon promoting abundance, not diminishments across the realm.”
#37
گر از کارداران وز لشکرش
✦
بداند که رنجست بر کشورش
“If he knows that hardship has befallen his country through his officials or his army,”
#38
نیازد به داد او جهاندار نیست
✦
برو تاج شاهی سزاوار نیست
“And does not extend his hand in justice, he is no world-ruler, nor is the royal crown fitting for him.”
#39
سیه کرد منشور شاهنشهی
✦
ازان پس نباشد ورا فرهی
“He blackens the charter of royalty, and from that moment onward the Divine Glory shall depart from him.”
#40
چنان دان که بیدادگر شهریار
✦
بود شیر درنده در مرغزار
“Know that an unjust king is like a ravenous lion prowling in a lush meadow.”
#41
همان زیردستی که فرمان شاه
✦
به رنج و به کوشش ندارد نگاه
“Likewise, a subject who fails to observe the king's command through effort and labor,”
#42
بود زندگانیش با درد و رنج
✦
نگردد کهن در سرای سپنج
“His life shall pass in distress and sorrow, nor shall he reach old age in peace within this transient abode.”
#43
اگر مهتری یابد و بهتری
✦
نیابد به زفتی و کنداوری
“If anyone attains greatness and superiority, they cannot achieve it through stinginess and harshness.”
#44
دل زیردستان ما شاد باد
✦
هم از داد ماگیتی آباد باد
“May the hearts of our subjects be glad, and may the world flourish through our justice!”