من عوَّد الناس خيرًا طالبوه به

من عوَّد الناس خيرًا طالبوه به

كأنه الدَّين يُلوى بالمعاذير

كأنه الدَّين يُلوى بالمعاذير

Whoever accustoms people to kindness, they demand it of him,

Those who urged good were pressured to repeat

As though it were a debt whose payment is deferred with excuses.

As if it were owed, though they pled to excuse

ومن تعقَّبهم شرًّا فأمهلهم

ومن تعقَّبهم شرًّا فأمهلهم

يومًا تقبَّل منهم أجر مشكور

يومًا تقبَّل منهم أجر مشكور

And whoever pursues them with harm, then grants them respite

Yet if their wrongs you tracked undeterred

For a day, accepts their thanks as his reward.

Pause to accept their regret with grace assured

لا رأي للناس في نفع ولا ضرر

لا رأي للناس في نفع ولا ضرر

وما لهم قط من حكم وتقدير

وما لهم قط من حكم وتقدير

People have no discernment concerning benefit or harm,

People cannot foresee what may help or hurt

Nor do they ever have judgment or appreciation.

Nor can they ever possess wisdom's perfect word