XVII: Tho' the miser's house may contain the water…

Tho' the miser's house may contain the water of immortality;
Still, like unto the deadliest poison, is its effect on me.

Moses possessed nothing whatsoever, but one rod alone:
Karun had boundless wealth, and verily, calamity befell him.

He who hath riches, with it hath vexation and misfortune mix'd up;
Hence the wise so act, that they may not their troubles increase.

The duration of the rose; the world's wealth; the mean man's friendship;
These three or four things are all inconstant and transitory.

He, who may neither possess modesty nor virtue, genius nor understanding,
Regard not his wealth, nor his beauty, nor his ancestral descent.

The wise man is in utter misery, whilst the fool reveleth in pleasure--
And well, indeed, may the world be amazed at such occurrences as these.

That he should continue happy all his life, and grief never assail him,
No one, into the world hath brought, a safe-conduct, such as this.

This is the way with fortune--some it maketh happy--some miserable;
And however clear now, the mirror will become clouded .

Wherefore, then, trouble thyself! Be rejoiced at this, O Khushhal!
That he, who hath neither riches nor wealth, hath neither pilgrimage to perform, nor taxes to pay.