Listen to a tale of virtuous men's conduct

If you seek good fortune and act like a man (with courage and virtue).

That Shibli, from a wheat seller's shop

Carried a sack of wheat on his shoulder to the village.

He looked and saw an ant in that grain

That was wandering confusedly in every corner.

Out of compassion for it, he could not sleep that night

He brought it back to its dwelling and said.

It is not chivalrous that this ant

I scatter from its place.

Keep together those who are scattered

So that you may have unity in your time.

How well said Ferdowsi, of pure lineage

May mercy be upon that pure grave.

Do not harm an ant that carries grains

For it has life, and life is sweet and precious.

He whose inside is dark (evil) and hard-hearted

Is the one who wants an ant to become distressed.

Do not strike the head of the weak with the hand of force

For one day you may fall at his feet like an ant.

Make the hearts of the helpless happy

Remember the day of your own helplessness.

The candle did not have mercy on the moth's plight

Look how it burned before the crowd.

Even if there are many weaker than you

There is ultimately someone stronger than you as well.