1. A little speech is good from one who is worthy,
Though much talk is disgusting.
١. إِنَّ القَليلَ مِنَ الكَلامِ بِأَهلِهِ
حسَنٌ وَإِنَّ كَثيرَهُ مَمقوتُ
2. Silent men ne'er err,
While the talkative seldom are faultless.
٢. ما زَلَّ ذو صَمتٍ وَما مِن مُكثِرٍ
إِلّا يُزَلُّ وَما يُعابُ صَموتُ
3. If speech be of silver enchanting the ears,
Silence is a pearl which a jeweller seeks.
٣. إِن كانَ يَنطِقُ ناطِقاً مِن فِضَّةٍ
فَالصَمتُ دُرٌّ زانَهُ ياقوتُ