لا تنظُرَنَّ لملبَسٍ وانظُر إلى

لا تنظُرَنَّ لملبَسٍ وانظُر إلى

ما تحتَهُ من فِطنَةٍ وَبَيانِ

ما تحتَهُ من فِطنَةٍ وَبَيانِ

Do not judge by outward dress; look instead to

Do not look at clothing; look instead at

Do not look at the clothes, but look

the wit and eloquence that lie beneath it:

the discernment and clear expression beneath it:

At the brilliance and eloquence underneath.

ذِهنٌ كَأنَّ النارَ منهَ أُشعِلَت

ذِهنٌ كَأنَّ النارَ منهَ أُشعِلَت

وَفَصاحَةٌ تربى عَلى سحبانِ

وَفَصاحَةٌ تربى عَلى سحبانِ

a mind from which fire itself seems kindled,

A mind as though fire had been kindled from it,

A mind that seems to have ignited fire,

and eloquence surpassing even Sahban’s.

And eloquence that surpasses Sahban.

And eloquence nurtured by clouds.