XIV: He, who placeth reliance on the lying and…

He, who placeth reliance on the lying and deceitful,
Maketh firebrands out of nothing, by such utter folly.

It is the senselessness of fools, in opposition to wisdom,
That, in the heat of summer, raiseth a tower of snow.

His prosperity is trouble--he groweth down-hearted thereby:
And his fresh adversity addeth twofold misery his sorrows unto.

Every man, who seeketh fidelity from the perfidious world,
Taketh it, in lease, for much bitterness, and many woes.

Success and disaster good and evil--are with the act coupled;
But fools suppose such things influenced by the stars.

I am amazed, beyond measure, at such like people,
Who place any reliance upon the bubble's permanency.

The ocean's waves will, one day, dash against each other;
And will, full speedily, the garment of the bubble rend.

When the pious and devout view this running stream,
They perceive, in its flowing, the scene of their own existence.

The wise enter upon the search of the object of their desires:
The beasts of the field, about food and sleep, themselves concern.

When the adorers awake from the slumber of remissness,
They take due heed of the fleeting of every breath.

That the traveller may, from his sweet repose awaken,
The warning bell of departure, tolleth at the dawn of day.

The delight of the Darwesh is in fervour, and in study:
The pleasure of Chieftains is in their banners and drums.

That country cannot be exempt from confusion and ruin,
Whose army indulgeth in grossest tyranny and rapacity.

If a friend should lend ear unto the secret of the stranger,
Friends will, themselves, ruin their own affairs, thereby.

When the mandate of the All-powerful shall reach him,
From whence shall Mirza's strength a remedy obtain?