ثلاثٌthree things تُغَطِّىconceal العيبَthe fault عمنfor whoever يحوزُهاpossesses them
ثلاثٌ تُغَطِّى العيبَ عمن يحوزُها
وتنفىand ward off كلامَtalk الناسِthe people عنهfrom him إذاwhen نَبَاhe falters
وتنفى كلامَ الناسِ عنه إذا نَبَا
Three things conceal the faults of whoever possesses them,
Three conceal a man's faults from others' eyes:
And ward off people's criticism of him when he falters:
His gifts, prosperity, and high station;
عطاءٌgenerosity وحالٌand circumstances واسعٌample وسيادةand eminence
عطاءٌ وحالٌ واسعٌ وسيادة
ولوeven if لمnot يَرَوْنَthey see فيهin him عقلاreason ولاnor لُبَّاunderstanding
ولو لم يَرَوْنَ فيه عقلا ولا لُبَّا
Generosity, ample means, and eminence,
Though he be lacking in wit and sense,
Even if they see in him neither reason nor understanding.
People will always make excuses for him.
Sol 6.1