1. وإن سعيد الجد من بات ليلة

    وأصبح لم يؤشب ببعض الكبائر

    And truly fortunate is one who spends a night

    and wakes untainted by any grave sins.

  2. فمولاك لا يهضم لديك فإنما

    هضيمة مولى المرء جدع المناخر

    So let your dependent not be wronged in your care, for

    wronging a man's dependent is nothing but mutilating his nostrils.

  3. وجارك لا يذممك ان مسبة

    على المرء في الأدنين ذمّ المجاور

    And let your neighbor not reproach you, for it is a disgrace

    for a man among those nearest him to be censured by his neighbor.

  4. وإن قلت فاعلم ما تقول فإه

    إلى سامع ممن يغادي وآثر

    And if you speak, know what you say, [apparently: for it passes]

    to a listener among morning visitors, and a reteller.

  5. فإنك لا تسطيع رد مقالة

    شأتك وزلت عن فكاهة فاغر

    For you cannot take back an utterance

    that has outstripped you and slipped from a gaping speaker's banter,

  6. كما ليس رام بعد ارسال سهمه

    على رده قبل الوقوع بقادر

    just as no archer, after loosing his arrow,

    can recall it before it strikes.

  7. إذا أنت عاديت الرجال فلا تزل

    على حذر لا خير في غير حاذر

    If you make enemies of men, never cease

    to be on your guard; there is no good in one who is unwary.

  8. ومن لا يصانع في أمور كثيرة

    يضرس بأنياب ويوطأ بحافر

    And whoever does not conciliate others in many matters

    is bitten by fangs and trampled by a hoof.

  9. ترى المرء مخلوقا وللعين حظها

    وليس بأحناء الأمور بخابر

    You see a well-formed man, giving the eye its share,

    yet he is unversed in the intricacies of affairs.

  10. فذاك كماء البحر لست مسيغه

    ويعجب منه ساجيا كل ناظر

    He is like seawater, which you cannot swallow,

    though every beholder admires it lying calm.

  11. وتلقى الأصيل الفاضل الرأي جسمه

    إذا ما مشى في القوم ليس بقاهر

    And you meet a well-born man of excellent judgment, whose body,

    when he walks among the people, is not imposing.

  12. كذلك جفن رث عن طول مكثه

    على حد مفتوق الغرارين باتر

    Likewise, a scabbard grows shabby from long remaining

    over a blade laid open at both edges, keen to cut.

  13. وعاش بعينيه لما لا يناله

    كساع برجليه لادراك طائر

    And one gazing with his eyes at what he cannot attain

    is like one running on his feet to catch a bird.

  14. ومستنزل حربا على غير ثروة

    كمقتحم في البحر ليس بماهر

    And one who calls down war without wealth

    is like one plunging into the sea without skill.

  15. وملتمس ودا لمن لا يودّه

    كمعتذر يوما على غير عاذر

    And one seeking the love of someone who does not love him

    is like one apologizing one day to someone who will not excuse him.

  16. ومتخذ عذرا فعاد ملامة

    كوالي اليتامى ما لهم غير وافر

    And one making an excuse that turns into blame

    is like the guardian of orphans whose possessions are scant.

  17. فارع إذا سافرت في الحمد واعلمن

    بأن ثناء الركب حظ المسافر

    So, when you travel, take care to earn praise, and know well

    that the caravan's praise is the traveler's portion.

  18. وطاوعهم فيما أرادوا وقل لهم

    فدى للذي رمتم كلال الأباعر

    And comply with them in what they wish, and say to them:

    'Let the camels' weariness be a ransom for what you sought.'

  19. فإن كنت ذا حظ من المال فالتمس

    به الأجر وارفع ذكر اهل المقابر

    So if you have a share of wealth, seek

    through it reward, and exalt the memory of those in the graveyards.

  20. فإني رأيت المال يفنى وذكره

    كظل يقيك الظل حر الهواجر

    For I have seen wealth perish, while its remembrance

    is like shade: the shade shields you from the heat of scorching middays.