1. If you praise a man seeking his favor
And wish him well only for that purpose

2. You are to him like a howling desert wolf
Though you embellished him in your speech

3. But I praise what you request from one whose favor you seek
When you cast off praise at his asking

4. And seek his bounty through no means
As you sought your right hand with your left

5. Hinting at it, trusting in his generosity
Seeing his wealth as guide enough

6. For praise is but to relinquish praise
Casting the burden of your need upon the generous man's nobility

7. Seeing his liberality free you from every bond
And from all the ropes you cast

8. Do not compete with the reach of his knowledge
With what you entertained secretly in your mind

9. So praise him silently for his discernment and nobility
Not clamoring as you did before

10. There you will hear hearts praising him
Even if you do not make it reach the ears

11. A praise the heart knows though the hearing does not
Traveling paths where speech cannot tread