من كان راعيه ديناً في حُلوبته

من كان راعيه ديناً في حُلوبته

فهو الذي نفسَه في أمره ظلما

فهو الذي نفسَه في أمره ظلما

Whoever has 'dīnan' (unclear here, possibly 'a wolf') as shepherd of his milk-giving herd,

He whose guide is religion in his youth

It is he who has wronged himself in his affairs.

Is he who wrongs himself in his affairs

تَرجو كفايته والغَدرُ عادته

تَرجو كفايته والغَدرُ عادته

ومن ولايته يستجني النَّدما

ومن ولايته يستجني النَّدما

You hope he will meet your needs, though treachery is his habit;

You hope for his sufficiency though treachery is his habit

And from his guardianship one reaps regret.

And from his friendship one reaps regret