VIII: He hath obtained happiness and felicity in this…

He hath obtained happiness and felicity in this world,
Who in it hath acquired contentment and peace.

The dominion of Solomon, for a thousand years,
Equaleth not an hour's devotion, in this world.

One breath, in remembrance of the Deity, is more inestimable
Than the whole wealth of the universe, in this world.

They have found advantage and emolument in it,
Who occupied themselves in piety, in this world.

If there be any blessing, truly, it is that of devotion:
Consider that there is no greater good, in this world.

If there be any toils and troubles, verily they are religion's:
No other labours and trials are of avail, in this world.

All, all is transitory, and perisheth, save the Almighty,
Whether it be pleasure, or whether it be beauty, in this world.

Even the monarch, he goeth down unto the dust at last:
Then what is glory, and what is .fame, in this world?

There will be no greater blockhead therein, than he
Who seeketh for happiness or tranquillity, in this world.

Thou, who desirest in this life a short period of repose,
Say, hath any one yet obtained it, in this world?

Relentless fate will make it like unto the shifting sands,
Whoever buildeth up a structure, in this world.

It is not a whit less than the stumbling of the drunkard,
Man's brief stability and continuance, in this world.

Come near the running stream--here behold life!
There are many such like emblems, in this world.

Every one that approacheth the graveyard of the dead,
Should consider it a sufficient admonition, in this world.

These massive courts, these firm and compact mansions,
Will certainly at last be desolate, in this world.

The insatiable eyes of destiny, indeed, are not such
That they suffer any one to be in safety, in this world.

Whatever cometh into it, departeth from it again:
All creatures are merely travellers, in this world.

When the judgment cometh, austerities cannot be practised:
He is the man, who hath mortified the flesh, in this world.

Since to-morrow he will rise again with the same qualities,
Let not God give any one an evil nature, in this world!

That will, verily, be unto him a harvest after death,
Whatever he may have sown in the field of this world.

Although that world cannot be seen here below;
Yet I can perceive its signs and its omens, in this world.

There will be no reciprocity of viaticum in the last day;
For I have myself beheld doomsday, in this world.

They will go down into the tomb as a deposit also,
Whoever may exist as a deposit, in this world.

Virtue is present bliss; but propitious fortune is necessary,
That one may acquire felicity, in this world.

Good habits, virtuous actions, and a noble disposition,
Are paradise and happiness, too, in this world.

Contrariety and opposition plunge a man's life in torment:
Such antagonism is of no avail, in this world.

The hand to the forehead, and on the breast, to every one:
This, indeed, is greatness and distinction, in this world.

If exalted rank be of advantage unto any one,
A high place is justice and equity, in this world.

No other regrets can be taken out of it by us,
Save those of affection and kindness, in this world.

The whole of that world's traffic is carried on in this,
If one desire to follow commerce, in this world.

If man's good fortune may not have become inverted,
The truth is by no means hidden from him, in this world.

It behoveth that good be rendered for good, evil for evil,
If any one seek after holiness, in this world.

The Almighty hath bestowed sanctity upon them,
Who have shown stedfastness and constancy, in this world.

Should all created beings combine in union together,
They will not be able to change their lot, in this world.

If any one here below can be called a man, verily 'tis he
Who may have neither need nor necessity, in this world.

Since solicitude on its account is the cause of all sin,
How can people show such a hankering, for this world?

Over Rahman, indeed, this life hath passed away,
Even as a short hour glideth away, in this world.