Hafez · Ghazal 227 · Though the city preacher will not find it easy
گر چه بر واعظ شهر این سخن آسان نشودتا ریا ورزد و سالوس مسلمان نشود
رندی آموز و کرم کن که نه چندان هنر استحیوانی که ننوشد می و انسان نشود
گوهر پاک بباید که شود قابل فیضور نه هر سنگ و گلی، لؤلؤ و مرجان نشود
اسم اعظم بکند کار خود ای دل! خوش باشکه به تلبیس و حیل، دیو مسلمان نشود
عشق می‌ورزم و امید که این فن شریفچون هنرهای دگر، موجب حرمان نشود
دوش می‌گفت که «فردا بدهم کام دلت»سببی ساز خدایا که پشیمان نشود
حسن خلقی ز خدا می‌طلبم خوی تو راتا دگر خاطر ما از تو پریشان نشود
ذره را تا نبود همت عالی حافظطالب چشمه خورشید درخشان نشود
This ghazal values what is genuine over what is put on for show. Whatever you are hoping for, Hafez suggests that sincerity and generosity of spirit will carry you further than any outward performance. Grace comes to a pure heart, and the right word does its work without tricks. A promise may have been made to you, and the ghazal hopes with you that it will be kept. Above all, it asks you to aim high: even a mote of dust that longs for the sun begins to rise towards it.
Though the city preacher will not find this word easy:
so long as he practises hypocrisy and pretence, he will not become a Muslim.
Learn the way of the rend and be generous, for it is no great virtue
to be an animal that drinks no wine and never becomes human.
A pure essence is needed to be worthy of grace;
otherwise every stone and clod would become pearl and coral.
The Greatest Name will do its work, O heart; be glad,
for by trickery and deceit the demon does not become a Muslim.
I practise love, and I hope that this noble art
will not, like other arts, become a cause of deprivation.
Last night she said, "Tomorrow I will give your heart what it desires."
O God, arrange some cause so that she does not regret it.
I ask God to give your temper a gentle nature,
so that our heart is never troubled by you again.
Unless the mote of dust has a high aspiration, Hafez,
it will not go seeking the fountain of the shining sun.