أسيء ظني بكل محتقر

أسيء ظني بكل محتقر

تأتي به والحقير من حقر

تأتي به والحقير من حقر

I mistrust every seemingly trivial thing

I have misjudged all the despicable,

I mistrust every trivial slight

you bring forth; and contemptible is whoever belittles it,

As they come in their despicability.

That you commit, for contemptible is whatever is belittled,

كي لا يرى أصل هجرةٍ وقلىً

كي لا يرى أصل هجرةٍ وقلىً

فالنار في بدء أمرها شرر

فالنار في بدء أمرها شرر

lest it prove the root of estrangement and hatred:

So one cannot see the root of estrangement and affliction,

Lest it become the root of estrangement and bitter malice,

for fire, at its beginning, is sparks.

For fire in its inception is but sparks.

For a raging fire begins as a mere spark,

وأصل عصم الأمور أهونها

وأصل عصم الأمور أهونها

ومن صغير الثوى ترى الشجر

ومن صغير الثوى ترى الشجر

And the basis of safeguarding affairs lies in their slightest details;

And the root of preserving matters is the easiest part,

And the roots of grave affairs are ever the most trivial,

and from tiny date stones (reading uncertain) you see trees.

And from a small abode you see a tree.

Just as from a tiny seed you see great trees grow.