Explanation of the envy of the vizier.

That petty vizier had his origin from envy, so that for vanity he gave to the wind (sacrificed) his ears and nose,

In the hope that by the sting of envy his venom might enter the souls of the poor (Christians).

Any one who from envy mutilates his nose makes himself without ear and without nose (unable to apprehend spiritual things).

The nose is that which catches a scent, and which the scent leads towards an abode (of spiritual truth).

Whoever hath no scent is without a nose; the scent (referred to) is that scent which is religious.

When he has caught a scent and given no thanks for it, (that) ingratitude comes and devours his nose (deprives him of the organ of spiritual perception).

Give thanks (to God) and be a slave to those who give thanks: be in their presence (as one) dead, be steadfast.

Do not, like the vizier, make brigandage your stock-in-trade; do not turn the people away from the ritual prayer.

The miscreant vizier had become (in appearance) a true religious counsellor, (but) he had craftily put garlic in the almond cake.