وكل بحسب منه يسعى لشابه

ويعرف في عقبى الأمور ذوي القدر

And each strives, according to what is in him, toward his like,

And recognizes those of worth by how affairs turn out.

وإياك والتفتيش والبحث يا فتى

فكم منظر حسن يسيئك في الخبر

Beware of scrutiny and investigation, young man,

For many a fair appearance displeases you when put to the test.

وكم من سحاب منه يفرح رعده

وليس له فيما يحاوله من قطر

And many a cloud's thunder brings delight,

Yet it has no rain in what it undertakes.

فكن واثقاً باللَه والزم جنابه

فقد قال بعد العسر لا بدّ من يسر

So trust in God and keep to His side,

For He has said: after hardship, there must be ease.

فكلّ جميع العالمين لأمره

مطيعون في نفع يقدره أو ضرّ

For all the worlds, every one, are at His command,

Obedient in the benefit He decrees or the harm.

عليك بحسن الظنّ فيما تريده

فلا تحسبنّ الشرّ يخمد بالشرّ

Have good expectations about what you seek;

So never think that evil is quenched by evil.

نعم هات ناراً ثم نارا بجنبها

لتطفيهما بل يستزيدان في السعر

Yes, bring a fire, then another beside it,

To put them both out? Rather, both grow fiercer in flame.

وكن بالرضا مستمسكاً فلربما

عصاك أمرؤ فاقبله إن جاء بالعذر

And hold fast to contentment, for it may happen

That a man disobeys you; accept him if he comes with an excuse.

فمستودع سرّ أفشاه فلم تلم

بلى أنت مليوم كما ضقت بالسر

So someone entrusted with a secret has divulged it—why blame him?

Indeed, you are to blame, as you could not bear the secret.