أفعال كل امرئ تنبي بعنصره

أفعال كل امرئ تنبي بعنصره

والعين تغنيك عن أن تطلب الأثرا

والعين تغنيك عن أن تطلب الأثرا

Every person's deeds tell of his nature.

Every man's actions reveal his character

The deeds of every man reveal his true origin,

And direct sight spares you the need to seek a trace.

And the eye relieves you of searching for clues

And the eye spares you from seeking any further trace.

وهل ترى قط دفلي انبتت عنباً

وهل ترى قط دفلي انبتت عنباً

أو تذخر النحل في أوكارها الصبرا

أو تذخر النحل في أوكارها الصبرا

And have you ever seen an oleander bear grapes,

Have you ever seen a hyena grow grapes?

Have you ever seen an oleander bear grapes,

Or bees store bitter aloe in their hives?

Or bees hoard anything but honey in their hives?

Or bees storing bitter aloes in their hives?