أسيء ظني بكل محتقر

تأتي به والحقير من حقر

I have misjudged all the despicable,

I mistrust every trivial slight

As they come in their despicability.

That you commit, for contemptible is whatever is belittled,

كي لا يرى أصل هجرةٍ وقلىً

فالنار في بدء أمرها شرر

So one cannot see the root of estrangement and affliction,

Lest it become the root of estrangement and bitter malice,

For fire in its inception is but sparks.

For a raging fire begins as a mere spark,

وأصل عصم الأمور أهونها

ومن صغير الثوى ترى الشجر

And the root of preserving matters is the easiest part,

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

And from a small abode you see a tree.

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