أَلا إِنَّ أَخْلاقَ الرِّجَالِ وَإِنْ نَمَتْ

أَلا إِنَّ أَخْلاقَ الرِّجَالِ وَإِنْ نَمَتْ

فَأَرْبَعَةٌ مِنْهَا تَفُوقُ عَلَى الْكُلِّ

فَأَرْبَعَةٌ مِنْهَا تَفُوقُ عَلَى الْكُلِّ

Behold, though men's virtues may grow in number,

Behold! A man's morals, though they thrive,

four of them surpass all the rest:

Are but four kinds which all else outlive:

وَقَارٌ بِلا كِبْرٍ وَصَفْحٌ بِلا أَذَىً

وَقَارٌ بِلا كِبْرٍ وَصَفْحٌ بِلا أَذَىً

وَجُودٌ بِلا مَنٍّ وَحِلْمٌ بِلا ذُلِّ

وَجُودٌ بِلا مَنٍّ وَحِلْمٌ بِلا ذُلِّ

dignity without arrogance, and forgiveness without causing harm;

Dignity without pride, mercy without wrong done,

and generosity without reminders of favors, and forbearance without abasement.

Generosity asking naught, patience holding its tongue.