بخش 27 - در بیان آنک صفا و سادگی نفس مطمنه از فکرتها مشوش شود چنانک بر روی آینه چیزی نویسی یا نقش کنی اگر چه پاک کنی داغی بماند و نقصانی

The face of the tranquil soul in the body suffers wounds inflicted by the nails of thought.

Know that evil thought is a poisonous nail: in (the case of) deep reflection it rends the face of the soul.

In order that he (the thinker) may loose the knot of a difficulty, he has put a golden spade into ordure.

Suppose the knot is loosed, O adept (thinker): ’tis (like) a tight knot on an empty purse.

Thou hast grown old in (the occupation of) loosing knots: suppose a few more knots are loosed (by thee, what then?).

The knot that is (fastened) tight on our throat is that thou shouldst know whether thou art vile or fortunate.

Solve this problem, if thou art a man: spend thy breath (life) on this, if thou hast the breath (spirit) of Adam (within thee).

Suppose thou knowest the definitions of (all) substances and accidents, (how shall it profit thee?): know the (true) definition of thyself, for this is indispensable.

When thou knowest the definition of thyself, flee from this definition, that thou mayst attain to Him who hath no definition, O sifter of dust.

(Thy) life has gone (to waste) in (the consideration of logical) predicate and subject: (thy) life, devoid of (spiritual) insight, has gone in (study of) what has been received by hearsay.

Every proof (that is) without (a spiritual) result and effect is vain: consider the (final) result of thyself!

Thou hast never perceived a Maker except by means of a thing made: thou art content with a syllogism.

The philosopher multiplies links (consisting) of (logical) proofs; on the other hand, the elect (the mystic) is contrary to him (in this respect).

The latter flees from the proof and from the veil (between himself and God): he has sunk his head in his bosom for the sake of (contemplating) the Object of the proof.

If to him (the philosopher) the smoke is a proof of the fire, to us (mystics) ’tis sweet (to be) in the fire without the smoke,

Especially this Fire which, through (our) nighness and fealty (to God), is nearer to us than the smoke.

Therefore ’tis black villainy to go (turn away) from the Soul (Reality) towards the smoke for the sake of (indulging) the phantasies (illusions) of the (animal) soul.