بُنيَّ إِذا ما سامَكَ الذُلَّ قاهِرٌ

بُنيَّ إِذا ما سامَكَ الذُلَّ قاهِرٌ

عَزيزٌ فَبَعضُ الذُلِّ أَبقى وَأَحرَزُ

عَزيزٌ فَبَعضُ الذُلِّ أَبقى وَأَحرَزُ

My son, when an overpowering man subjects you to humiliation—

My dear son, if a conqueror subjects you to humiliation,

My son, when humiliation overwhelms you,

a mighty man—then some humiliation is more preserving and safer.

One mighty in power—then some humiliation better preserves and safeguards you.

An honored one, thus some disgrace remains and lingers.

وَلا تَحمَ مِن بَعضِ الأُمورِ تَعَزُّزاً

وَلا تَحمَ مِن بَعضِ الأُمورِ تَعَزُّزاً

فَقَد يورِثُ الذُلَّ الطَويلَ التَعَزُّزُ

فَقَد يورِثُ الذُلَّ الطَويلَ التَعَزُّزُ

Do not disdain certain courses of action out of pride,

And do not take offense at certain matters out of pride,

Do not refuse to bear some matters out of false pride,

for pride may bring lasting humiliation.

For pride may bring prolonged humiliation.

For pride can yield prolonged humiliation.