I traveled far across the world's expanse

And spent my days with all kinds of people

I found delights in every corner

And gathered a sheaf from every harvest

But none like the humble souls of Shiraz

I saw, may mercy be upon this soil

The devotion of the men of this pure land

Made me turn away from Syria and Rome

I felt sorrow leaving all those gardens

And going empty-handed to my friends

I said to myself, they bring sugar from Egypt

To offer as gifts to their friends

If my hands lacked such sugar,

I had sweeter words than sugar

Not sugar that people eat with their mouths

But the kind of sweetness scholars write on paper

When I completed this palace of fortune

I built ten gates of wisdom within it

One gate is justice, wisdom, and foresight

Protecting creation and fearing God

The second gate is founded on kindness

So the blessed may give thanks for God's grace

The third gate is love, ecstasy, and passion

Not the love imposed by force

The fourth is humility; the fifth, contentment

The sixth, the remembrance of the contented soul

The seventh gate, the realm of nurturing wisdom

The eighth, gratitude for well-being

The ninth gate is repentance and the path of truth

The tenth, prayer and the conclusion of the book

On an auspicious day and a blessed year,

In the joyful time between two festivals.

The year exceeded six hundred by fifty-five,

When this renowned treasure was filled with pearls.

I remain with my skirt full of gems,

Yet my head is bowed to my knees in shame.

For even in a sea of pearls, there are shells,

As in a garden, there are tall and short trees.

O wise and pure-hearted one,

Never have I heard a wise man faultfinding.

Whether a robe is silk or linen,

There must be padding within.

If you find no linen, seek it not,

Show kindness and cover its flaws.

I do not boast of my own virtue,

I extend my hand in humility.

I heard that on the Day of Hope and Fear,

The Generous forgives the wicked for the righteous.

If you see flaws in my words,

Attribute them to the Creator of the world.

If one couplet among a thousand pleases you,

Show honor and refrain from reproach.

Indeed, my Persian writings,

Are like musk, priceless in Khotan.

Like the sound of a drum, impressive from afar,

My flaws remain hidden in my absence.

Saadi brought roses to the garden,

Playfully, as pepper is brought to India.

Like a date, sweet with its skin,

But when opened, it has a pit inside.