قَد كُنتُ أَحذَرُ ما أَلقاهُ مِن نَكَدٍ

قَد كُنتُ أَحذَرُ ما أَلقاهُ مِن نَكَدٍ

لَو كانَ يَنفَعُني في مِثلِهِ الحَذَرُ

لَو كانَ يَنفَعُني في مِثلِهِ الحَذَرُ

I had been wary of the misery I now face—

I used to dread what harm he might inflict

If only caution could help me against its like.

If caution against the likes of him could help

يا نَفسُ صَبراً عَلى ما كانَ مِن ضَرَرٍ

يا نَفسُ صَبراً عَلى ما كانَ مِن ضَرَرٍ

فَرُبَّ مَنفَعَةٍ يَأتي بِها الضَرَرُ

فَرُبَّ مَنفَعَةٍ يَأتي بِها الضَرَرُ

O soul, be patient with whatever harm has come,

O soul, have patience for what injury occurred

For many a benefit is brought by harm.

Often benefit comes about through harm endured