بخش 55 - در بیان آنک ترک الجواب جواب مقرر این سخن کی جواب الاحمق سکوت شرح این هر دو درین قصه است کی گفته می‌آید

There was a king: he had a slave; he (the slave) was one whose reason was dead and whose lust was alive.

He would neglect the niceties of service to him (the king): he was thinking evil and deeming (it) good.

The monarch said, “Reduce his allowance, and if he wrangle strike his name off the roll.”

His reason was deficient, his cupidity excessive: when he saw the allowance reduced he became violent and refractory.

Had there been reason (in him), he would have made a circuit round himself, in order that he might see his offence and become forgiven.

When, on account of asininity, a tethered ass becomes violent, both his (fore-)legs will be shackled in addition.

Then the ass will say, “One tether is enough for me”; (but) in sooth do not think (that such is the case), for those two are (result) from the action of that vile creature.