XXXV: When men covet, from their fellow-men, any worldly…

When men covet, from their fellow-men, any worldly object,
Their human nature, from this covetousness, that of a dog becometh.

The foot of their modesty trippeth and stumbleth, perpetually,
When they, by the flesh's lusts incited, upon covetousness seize.

Thro' covetousness for the grain, the free bird becometh ensnared;
And this thy covetousness also, will, speedily, bring calamity on thee.

The bitter words of rectitude and truth, will all be left by them,
Who sweeten their mouths with the confection of covetousness.

The colour of their friendship will, speedily, be demolished,
When one friend hath any want requiring to be satisfied by another.

This single drop of water becometh a pearl within its breast,
When the oyster, towards the ocean, all covetousness escheweth.

The difference between royalty and beggary, ceaseth, altogether,
When the king satisfieth not the beggar's craving covetousness.

The stranger leave out; for, verily, though it were father or mother,
God forbid, that any one should be under necessity to another!

Pestilence is far preferable, O Hamid! than that covetousness,
Which, for the sake of the flesh's lusts, coveteth aught from others.