1. أشد شَيء كَبوه

    عَقل أَسير شهوه

    The gravest thing is the stumbling

    of a mind captive to desire.

  2. أَصعب مِن نَيل السهى

    صَبرك عَما يَشتَهي

    Harder than reaching the star Suha

    is your restraint from what it craves.

  3. فَقالَت الادماء

    أحسنت يا وَرقاء

    Then al-Adma’ said:

    Well said, Warqa’!

  4. من البَيان سحر

    قَلب اللبيب بَحر

    Some eloquence is magic;

    the wise man's heart is a sea.

  5. الخلق كَالبَهائم

    عِندَ الحَكيم العالم

    People are like beasts

    in the eyes of the learned sage.

  6. كَم مِن عدو عاقل

    محاسن مجامل

    Many an intelligent enemy,

    kindly and courteous,

  7. أَصلح مِن صَديق

    لَيسَ بذي تَوفيق

    is better than a friend

    who lacks sound judgment.

  8. مَن ضَيع الجداء

    لَم يخلص الوَلاء

    For whoever neglects generosity,

    loyalty is not sincere.

  9. كُلُّ كَبير يتبع

    شين الرجال في الطمَع

    Every great man is followed;

    men's disgrace lies in greed.

  10. لا تَطمعن فيمن يَئس

    منكَ وَعادَ مبتئس

    Never set your hopes on one who has despaired

    of you and returned dejected.

  11. انتَقد الناس وَقس

    وَانصف المَولى تَكس

    Scrutinize people and weigh them;

    and be fair to the patron; you will be wise.

  12. لأَي شَيء يتبع

    ذوو الغِنى لَولا الطمع

    For what would they be followed,

    the wealthy, were it not for greed?

  13. يكره قُرب الناس

    فاطردهم بالباس

    People's closeness is unwelcome;

    so drive them away with force.

  14. فضل الفتى بالخاتمه

    بانية أو هادمه

    A young man's worth is judged by his end,

    whether constructive or destructive.

  15. عين الرضى كَليله

    نَفس الهَوى عَليله

    The eye of approval is dim;

    the soul of passion is ailing.

  16. الحُب يعمي وَيصم

    وَالبُغض يغري وَيذم

    Love blinds and deafens,

    and hatred incites and condemns.