قَد نالَ خَيراً في المَعاشِرِ ظاهِراً

مَن كانَ تَحتَ لِسانِهِ مَخبوءا

He who conceals his words has truly gained

Good fortune in his dealings with mankind.

باءَ الكَلامُ بِمَأثَمٍ وَالصَمتُ لَم

يَكُ في الأَعَمِّ بِمَأثَمٍ لِيَبوءا

Speech leads to sin, but silence never harmed

The ignorant, however intertwined.

إِن يَرتَفِع بَشَرٌ عَلَيكَ فَكَم غَدا

عَلَمٌ بِتابِعِ فِتنَةٍ مَربوءا

If an enemy exalts himself o’er you,

How often is he but a standard raised—

مَهلاً أَمِن وَباءٍ فَرَرتَ وَهَل تَرى

في الدَهرِ إِلّا مَنزِلاً مَوبوءا

Flee from the plague of strife without delay!

Do you see aught in life that is not razed?

تُسبى الكَرائِمُ وَالكُمَيتُ شَرابُها

يُلفى لِأَلأَمِ شارِبٍ مَسبوءا

Nobility is blamed, and drunkenness

Will leave the drinker’s pain exacerbated.

حِلفُ العَباءَةِ سَوفَ يُصبِحُ مِثلَهُ

مَلِكٌ وَيُترَكُ طَيبَهُ المَعبوءا

The cloak’s pledge will become like his one day—

A king, his fragrance left alone wafted.