Hafez · Ghazal 100 · The old wine-seller said
دی پیر می‌فروش که ذکرش به خیر بادگفتا شراب نوش و غم دل ببر ز یاد
گفتم به باد می‌دهدم باده نام و ننگگفتا قبول کن سخن و هر چه باد، باد
سود و زیان و مایه چو خواهد شدن ز دستاز بهر این معامله غمگین مباش و شاد
بادت به دست باشد اگر دل نهی به هیچدر معرضی که تخت سلیمان رود به باد
حافظ گرت ز پند حکیمان ملالت استکوته کنیم قصه، که عمرت دراز باد
You may be worrying about your reputation, or about gains and losses that seem to matter very much. The old wine-seller in this short ghazal gives you plain advice: put grief out of mind, and let what will be, be. Profit and loss both pass; even Solomon's throne was carried off by the wind. This is not carelessness but freedom. Hold your concerns lightly, neither too elated nor too downcast, and keep your heart for what lasts. Then the wise old man wishes you a long life.
Yesterday the old wine-seller, may he be remembered well,
said: "Drink wine, and put the heart's grief out of mind."
I said, "Wine throws my name and honour to the wind."
He said, "Take my word: whatever will be, will be."
Since profit and loss and capital will all slip from your hand,
do not be sad or glad over this bargain.
You will hold only wind if you set your heart on anything
in a place where even Solomon's throne went to the wind.
Hafez, if the counsel of the wise has wearied you,
let us cut the story short: may your life be long.