أثنَى عليَّ الوَرَى بِأَنّي

لَمْ أَهجُ شَخصاً وَلَو هَجَاني

The people praised me for not insulting anyone,

Even if they had insulted me.

فَقلتُ لا خَيرَ في سِراجٍ

إنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ دافِئَ اللِّسانِ

So I said, “A lamp is useless

If it doesn’t give warmth with its flame."