1. The essence has an essence, and names have names,
You know its truth, Saadi, and the names,
١. للذات ذات وللأسماء أسماءُ
تدري حقيقته سعدى وأسماءُ
2. So transcend words and meanings, for they
Are symbols of the essence and the names, gesturing.
٢. فاخرج عن اللفظ والمعنى لأنهما
رمزٌ إلى الذات والأسما وإيماءُ
3. It is the truth in all matters, hidden
As a secret, and it made things stand in the open.
٣. هي الحقيقة في كل الأمور سرت
سراً و قامت بها في الجهر أشياء
4. It transcended in the minds of the knowers about it,
And they are only intimations of the commemoration.
٤. تنزهت في فهوم العارفين بها
وإنما هم على الذكرى أدلاء
5. Do not ask the universe about it, for it is ignorant of it,
And ask it about it, for in it are news of it.
٥. لا تسأل الكون عنها فهو يجهلها
وعنه سلها ففيها منه أنباء
6. Be a seeker of knowledge of it from it, you will find it with it
Fulfilled, and excelling in the fulfillment.
٦. كن طالباً علمها منها تجده بها
محققاً وعلى التحقيق لألاء
7. There is no one in the world except by its power
He has the extent of his lifetime of refusal and giving.
٧. ما في الورى أحد إلا بقوتها
له مدى عمره منع وإعطاء
8. And those looking through it and listening through it
Even if the matter remains hidden to them.
٨. والناظرون بها والسامعون بها
وإن يكن عندهم للأمر إخفاء
9. And it makes people happy or miserable without purpose,
So it is the cure as you choose, and the disease.
٩. وتسعد الناس أو تشقى بلا غرض
فهي الدواء كما تختار والداء
10. Sun, and by its knowledge all of existence became
Apparent, as if they are shadows and mirages.
١٠. شمس وعن علمها كل الورى ظهروا
كأنما هم ظلالات وأفياء