1. إِذا نِلتَ الإِمارَةَ فاسمُ فيها

    إِلى العَلياءِ بِالأَمرِ الوَثيقِ

    If you attain authority, rise within it

    toward lofty heights through firm resolve.

  2. وَلا تَكُ عِندَها حُلواً فَتُحسى

    وَلا مُرّاً فَتَنشَب في الحُلوقِ

    Do not be so sweet in office that you are drunk down,

    nor so bitter that you stick in throats.

  3. فَكُلُّ إِمارَةٍ إِلّا قَليلاً

    مُغَيِّرَةَ الصَديقِ عَلى الصَديقِ

    For nearly every position of authority

    turns friend against friend.

  4. وَما استَخبَأتُ في رِجُلٍ خَبيئاً

    كَدينِ الصِدقِ أَو حَسَبٍ عَتيقِِ

    I have sought no hidden quality in a man

    like devotion to truth or long-established noble standing.

  5. ذوو الأَحسابِ أَكرَمُ مَخبراتٍ

    وَأَصبَرُ عِندَ نائِبَةِ الحُقوقِ

    Those of noble standing prove most honorable

    and most steadfast when duties bring hardship.