گفتار اندر گردش روزگار
(گفتار اندر گردش روزگار) is from Chapter II, On Beneficence (در احسان) 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
| Oh fortunate, man! keep men’s welfare in view, That, to-morrow, the Lord deal not harshly with you ! ‘ He who does not from helping the fallen refrain, Should he tumble himself, will not captive remain. | تو با خلق سهلی کن ای نیکبخت که فردا نگیرد خدا بر تو سخت گر از پا درآید، نماند اسیر که افتادگان را بود دستگیر |
| On a slave, do not exercise harshly command ! For it may be that empire will, fall to his hand; When, your grandeur and pomp are established secure, Be not harsh to your subjects, although they are poor ! | به آزار فرمان مده بر رهی که باشد که افتد به فرماندهی چو تمکین و جاهت بود بر دوام مکن زور بر ضعف درویش و عام |
| For grandeur and pomp they may, some day, possess — Like the pawn that, at once, takes the Queen’s place in chess. Men who see what is good, and to counsels give heed, In any one’s heart will not sow hatred’s seed. | که افتد که با جاه و تمکین شود چو بیدق که ناگاه فرزین شود نصیحت شنو مردم دور بین نپاشند در هیچ دل تخم کین |
| The harvest’s praud owner but does himself harm, When haughty to gleaners who visit his farm. | خداوند خرمن زیان می‌کند که بر خوشه چین سرگران می‌کند |
| He fears, lest the Lord show the poor gleaner grace, And, therefore, Griefs load on his conscience should place. | نترسد که نعمت به مسکین دهند وزان بار غم بر دل این نهند؟ |
| Full many a strong one has drained Ruin’s cup ; And Fortune has helped many ruined men up. | بسا زرومندا که افتاد سخت بس افتاده را یاوری کرد بخت |
| It is wrong, then, the hearts of your subjects to break, For as subject, one morn, you may chance to awake. | دل زیر دستان نباید شکست مبادا که روزی شوی زیر دست |
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by: Reza about (category: Bustan Saadi)
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