One uttered an insult during the battle

They seized him and tore his collar in hand

He sat down, naked and crying, in despair

A world-wise man said to him, 'O narcissist'

If your mouth had been closed like a bud

You would not have seen the torn shirt like a flower

In panic, he speaks senseless words

Like a drum with no substance, full of boastful noise

Do you not see that the tongue is a fire, and nothing else?

Can it be quenched with water in a single breath?

If a man has benefited from art

The art itself speaks, not the bearer of the art

If you do not have pure musk, do not speak of it

For its fragrance will reveal itself on its own

To swear that gold is from the West

Why swear? The test itself will show what it is

Let a thousand of these talkers say

That Saadi is neither learned nor a mixer

It would be acceptable if they tear my cloak

For I cannot endure having my brain torn apart