ورام بعوران الكلام كأنها

نوافر صبح نفّرتها المراتع

And one who hurls shameful words, as though they were

Fleeing pale beasts, scattered by the grazing grounds.

وقد يدحضُ المرء الموارب بالخنا

وقد تدرك المرء الكريم المصانع

And a crafty man may be brought down by foul speech,

And a noble man may be overtaken by blandishments.

وساع برجليه لآخر قاعدٍ

ومعطٍ كريمٌ ذو يسار ومانع

And one who strives on his own feet for another who sits,

And a generous, wealthy giver, and one who withholds;

وبان لأحساب الكرام وهادمٌ

وخافض مولاه سفاها ورافع

And one who builds up noble men's honor, and one who tears it down;

And one who foolishly debases his kinsman, and one who raises him;

ومغضٍ على بعض الخصوم وقد بدت

له عورة من ذي القرابة ضاجع

And one who overlooks some adversaries, though there has appeared

To him a kinsman's weakness—he hangs back;

وطالب حوب باللسان وقلبُه

سوى الحقّ لا تخفى عليه الشرائع

And one who seeks sin with his tongue, while his heart

Is apart from the right—the laws are not hidden from him.