ان شئتَ أَن لا تُعابا

ان شئتَ أَن لا تُعابا

فاجهَد بأن لا تُغابا

فاجهَد بأن لا تُغابا

If you wish not to be faulted,

If you wish not to be blamed

then strive not to be backbitten.

Then make an effort not to be absent

فَقُلَمّا عُيِّنَ المَر

فَقُلَمّا عُيِّنَ المَر

ءُ بل يُذَمُّ اغتيابا

ءُ بل يُذَمُّ اغتيابا

For seldom is a man reproached to his face;

For seldom is the one present blamed

rather, he is censured behind his back.

Rather the one absent is condemned