Number 21

Iraqi style
English

Number 21

A man who spent his life in sin and debauchery, at the hour of death swears his regret again and again. 'I've repented and will sin no more,' he says; but you can't do anything anymore, so stop fooling yourself.
Explanation: The phrase 'به ریش خویش مخند' literally means 'don't laugh at your own beard,' an idiom for deceiving oneself.

Original · Persian

شمارهٔ ۲۱

حریف عمر به سر برده در فسق و فجور به وقت مرگ پشیمان همی خورد سوگند
‌که توبه کردم و دیگر گنه نخواهم کرد ‌تو خود دگر نتوانی، به‌ ریش‌خویش مخند