What can a master with full power do if he gives no command? And what can a servant do but bow his head to that command?
Explanation: The couplet plays on the mutual dependence of authority and obedience: power is meaningless without a command, and service is meaningless without one to follow.
Original · Persian
شمارهٔ ۱۷
چه کندمالک مختار که فرمان ندهد
چه کند بنده که سر بر خط فرمان ننهد