On the Impunity of the Ignorant under the Screen of Silence. حکایت در معنی سلامت جاهل در خاموشی
On the Impunity of the Ignorant Under the Screen of Silence (حکایت در معنی سلامت جاهل در خاموشی) is from Chapter VII, On Training and Instruction (در عالم تربیت) of Saadi’s Bustan (بوستان, “The Orchard”), written in 1257. The Persian verses are given with a rhymed English translation, couplet by couplet.
Bustan Saadi بوستان سعدی
| A good-natured man who in tatters was dressed, For a season in Egypt strict silence professed. Men of wisdom from near and from far, at the sight, Gathered round him like moths seeking after the light | یکی خوب خلق خلق پوش بود که در مصر یک چند خاموش بود خردمند مردم ز نزدیک و دور به گردش چو پروانه جویان نور |
| One night he communed with himse lf, in this way: “Beneath the tongue’s surface the man hidden lay; If I carry my head for myself, in this plan, How can people discover in me a wise man? ” | تفکر شبی با دل خویش کرد که پوشیده زیر زبان است مرد اگر همچنین سر به خود در برم چه دانند مردم که دانشورم؟ |
| He spoke, and his friends and his foes all could see, That the greatest of blockheads in Egypt was he! His admirers dispersed, and his trade lost its note; He journeyed, and over a mosque’s arch he wrote: | سخن گفت و دشمن بدانست و دوست که در مصر نادان تر از وی هموست حضورش پریشان شد و کار زشت سفر کرد و بر طاق مسجد نبشت |
| “Could I have myself in a looking-glass seen, Not in ignorance would I have riven my screen. So ugly, the veil from my features I drew, For I thought that my face was most charming to view | در آیینه گر خویشتن دیدمی به بی دانشی پرده ندریدمی چنین زشت ازان پرده برداشتم که خود را نکو روی پنداشتم |
| The fame of the man talking little is high; When you talk, and your glory has fled; you, too, fly! Oh sensible person! in silence serene You have honour, and people unworthy, a screen. | xکم آواز را باشد آوازه تیز چو گفتی و رونق نماندت گریز تو را خامشی ای خداوند هوش وقارست و، نا اهل را پرده پوش |
| If you’ve learning, you should not your dignity lose! If you’re ignorant, tear not the curtain you use! The thoughts of your heart do not quickly display! For you’re able to show them whenever you may. | اگر عالمی هیبت خود مبر وگر جاهلی پرده خود مدر ضمیر دل خویش منمای زود که هرگه که خواهی توانی نمود |
| But when once a man’s secret to all is revealed, By exertion it cannot again be concealed. How well did the pen the king’s secret maintain! For it said not a word till the knife reached its brain. | ولیکن چو پیدا شود راز مرد به کوشش نشاید نهان باز کرد قلم سر سلطان چه نیکو نهفت که تا کارد بر سر نبودش نگفت |
| The beasts are all dumb and man’s tongue is released; A nonsensical talker is worse than a beast! A speaker should talk in a sensible strain; If he can’t; like the brutes, he should silence maintain | بهایم خموشند و گویا بشر زبان بسته بهتر که گویا به شر چو مردم سخن گفت باید بهوش وگرنه شدن چون بهایم خموش |
| By reason of speech Adam’s children are known; Do not grow like the parrot, a prater, alone! | به نطق است و عقل آدمی‌زاده فاش چو طوطی سخنگوی نادان مباش |
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by: Reza about (category: Bustan Saadi)
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