وأخرقَ تُضرِمُهُ نفحةٌ

وأخرقَ تُضرِمُهُ نفحةٌ

سفاهاً وتطفئه تَفْلَهْ

سفاهاً وتطفئه تَفْلَهْ

And a fool is set ablaze by a puff of air,

A gust ignites him into foolishness

in his folly, and a little spittle puts him out.

Another extinguishes him into disgrace

فأخلاقُه تارةً وَعْرةٌ

فأخلاقُه تارةً وَعْرةٌ

وأخلاقُه تارة سهْلَهْ

وأخلاقُه تارة سهْلَهْ

So his disposition is sometimes rough,

His morals at times rugged

and his disposition is sometimes gentle.

His morals at other times smooth