1. The dog, as long as he is healthy, barks
At whoever encroaches on his master's home.
١. أَلِكَلبُ ما دامَ صَحيحاً عَنِ الحَيِّ
الَّذي حَلِّ بِهِ يَنبَحُ
2. But when he is stricken with disease
He slinks away from their abode.
٢. وَهوَ إِذا حَلَّ بِهِ داؤُهُ
رَعياً لَهُم عَن دارِهِم يَنزَحُ
3. So the best of men is he who mends
The corrupt ways of his own people.
٣. فَلامِرا في أَنَّ سيماءَهُ
مِن مُفسِدٍ في قَومِهِ أَصلَحُ
4. But he who desires nothing but evil
Can be fixed by nothing less than death.
٤. وَمَن أَبى إِلّا فَسادَ الوَرى
فَهوَ لِغَيرِ القَتلِ لا يَصلُحُ