My evil ego, in its stupidity, paid no heed

To all the warning of graying hair and seniority.

And hasn't set out a spread of pleasing actions to host

A guest who showed at my head, bereft of timidity.

And had I known that I'd fail to honor him, I'd have hid-

-den using hair colorant his first appearance to me.

Who's there for me to control the fight of its wandering—

Just as a bit bridles horses in their obstinacy?

So do not count on offenses to get rid of its lust;

Food only intensifies the craving of gluttony.

The ego is like a baby: leave it and it grows up

In love with suckling; but wean it, and it's weaned finally.

So fight its whim, and beware of giving power to it;

When whim's empowered, it kills or damages markedly.

And shepherd it carefully as it is grazing in deeds;

And if the pasture you find it fancies, don't let it be.

How many times it's convinced a man of killer delights—

While blind to the poison in the gravy so savory!

Beware the ambush of being hungry and being full;

Starvation at times is even worse than satiety.

And void of tears eyes that have been stuffed with forbidden things.

Keep in the shelter of pure repentance unceasingly.

And contradict both the Self and Devil, and disobey!

And if they give true advice to you, still look skeptically.

And do not settle with either as your lawyer or foe;

You're well aware of a lawyer's and a foe's treachery.

I ask for pardon from God for empty word with no deed;

I have ascribed by it to a sterile man progeny.

I've ordered you to do good, but have ignored it, myself;

I'm not upstanding, so who am I to tell you to be?

I haven't packed extra deeds in preparation for death;

I haven't prayed, haven't fasted, but the compulsory.