رجعت على السفيه بفضل حلمي

رجعت على السفيه بفضل حلمي

فكان الحلم عنه له لجاما

فكان الحلم عنه له لجاما

I countered the fool with the virtue of my forbearance;

I returned the fool's offense with my forbearance

thus forbearance toward him became a bridle for him.

Thus forbearance was his protection and defense

وظنّ بي السفاه فلم يجدني

وظنّ بي السفاه فلم يجدني

أسافههُ فقلتُ له سلاما

أسافههُ فقلتُ له سلاما

He thought me foolish, but did not find me

He thought me a fool, but found me not

trading folly with him; so I said to him, “Peace.”

To act foolishly, so I bid him peace

فقام يحُرّ رجليه ذليلا

فقام يحُرّ رجليه ذليلا

وقد كسبَ المذلّة والملاما

وقد كسبَ المذلّة والملاما

So he rose, dragging his feet, humiliated,

Then he rose, humbled, shuffling his feet

and he had earned humiliation and reproach.

Having earned humiliation and blame

وفضل الحلم أبلغ في سفيه

وفضل الحلم أبلغ في سفيه

وأحرى أن تنال به انتقاما

وأحرى أن تنال به انتقاما

And the virtue of forbearance is more effective against a fool,

Forbearance in a fool is most effective

and through it you are likelier to gain revenge.

And best for gaining vengeance and acclaim