عَلى كُلِّ خَيرٍ مانِعٌ وَبِحُسنِهِ

يَرِقُّ وَيَجفو رِقبَةً لِلمَراقِبِ

There's an obstacle to every good, though it be fair,

And a watcher's neck is softened and bent.

فَيَمنَعُ وَردَ الروضِ شَوكٌ مُلاصِقٌ

وَمِن دونِ رَوضِ الخَدِّ شَوكُ العَقارِبِ

The rose's blossom is hindered by the thorns close by,

And without the cheek's garden are scorpions' thorns.