Hafez · Ghazal 341 · If I worried about reproach
گر من از سرزنش مدعیان اندیشمشیوه مستی و رندی نرود از پیشم
زهد رندان نوآموخته راهی به دهیستمن که بدنام جهانم چه صلاح اندیشم؟
شاه شوریده‌سران خوان، من بی‌سامان رازان که در کم‌خردی از همه عالم بیشم
بر جبین نقش کن از خون دل من خالیتا بدانند که قربان تو کافرکیشم
اعتقادی بنما و بگذر بهر خداتا در این خرقه ندانی که چه نادرویشم
شعر خونبار من ای باد، بدان یار رسانکه ز مژگان سیه، بر رگ جان زد نیشم
من اگر باده خورم ور نه چه کارم با کس؟حافظ راز خود و عارف وقت خویشم
This ghazal is a declaration of independence from other people's judgments. Hafez says that if he worried about every reproach, he would never take a step on his own path. Perhaps you have been held back by what others might say. The verse encourages you to know your own heart, keep your own counsel, and live honestly in your own moment. You do not owe anyone a display of virtue. Send your true words to the one who matters, and let the rest pass.
If I worried about the reproaches of the pretenders,
the way of drunkenness and rendi would never move forward for me.
The piety of newly taught rends may lead somewhere;
but I, notorious in all the world, why should I think of propriety?
Call me, homeless as I am, the king of the wild-headed,
for in want of wisdom I surpass the whole world.
Paint a mole on my forehead with my heart's blood,
so they may know I am your sacrifice, of the unbelievers' creed.
Show a little faith in me, and pass on, for God's sake,
so that you never learn what a poor dervish I am under this cloak.
O wind, carry my bleeding verse to that friend
who struck the vein of my soul with the lancet of her dark lashes.
Whether I drink wine or not, what business is it of anyone's?
I am the keeper of my own secret and the knower of my own moment.