فَضيلَةُ النُطقِ في الإِنسانِ تَمزُجُها

نَقيصَةُ الكَذِبِ المَعدودِ في النِقَمِ

The virtue of speech in man is marred

By the vice of lying, counted among sins

أَصدُق إِلى أَن تَظُنَّ الصِدقَ مَهلَكَةً

وَعِندَ ذَلِكَ فَاِقعُد كاذِباً وَقُمِ

Speak truth until you think truth brings ruin

Then sit, a liar, and rise up, yet be silent

فَالمَينُ ميتَةُ مُضطَرٍّ أَلَمَّ بِها

وَالحَقُّ كَالماءِ يُجفى خيفَةَ السَقَمِ

Deceit is the death of one in distress

And truth like water dries up disease's tents