1. How close are things when Fate drives them,
And how far when Fate does not decree!

2. Perseverance raises the youth from his toil—
Persevere with perseverance in events, or leave them be!

3. And when affairs grow difficult, defer them,
And stick to the matter which was not difficult.

4. Ask the jurist to be a jurist like him—
One who succeeds in a deed with skilled jurists' wisdom.

5. And ponder the matter you give your attention to—
No good in a deed without pondering.

6. For a man may fail though he is not remiss,
And a man's effort may fail though he is not remiss.

7. The men whose actions were exemplary are gone,
And the censurers of every censured thing.

8. And there remains among us a remnant who mutually
Adorn each other to ward disgrace from the disgraced.

9. He is aware of every misfortune to his money,
Yet when disgraced is unaware.

10. They have trodden the moon's paths, and so
Deviated from the greatest path.