1. In days gone by there was a house
Of honorable men, wherein lived a gazelle

2. Who ate almonds and honey cakes and drank
Pure honey that resembled limpid water

3. One day the dog came to confide
In him, in his heart sadness and weariness

4. He said: “O keeper of the covenant, tell me
How are the people of the world and the men?”

5. The trustee, the truthful and perfect speaker,
Of sublime character, answered:

6. “Forgive me for telling the truth about people -
There is no truth in them that can be told.

7. They are but malice, deceit, hatred,
Harm, slander, and plagiarism.

8. I wonder, will my heart find rest?
How much have I tried to beguile them!”

9. Some are displeased with others,
Pleasing all is unattainable.

10. God’s pleasure we hope for, but
Only perfection leads to it.

11. Let not, my brother, your captors'
Favor and attention deceive you.

12. You are captive as long as you are spared,
But if you fall ill, your limbs will be severed.

13. Seek then sustenance from hunting,
There is honest, lawful living.

14. If not for my bones, which are my life,
No state with man would have pleased me.