كم لائم لامني من تحت عافية

كم لائم لامني من تحت عافية

والنار في كبدي مذكوّة الشعل

والنار في كبدي مذكوّة الشعل

How many a reprover has reproached me from the shelter of well-being,

How much blame does my critic cast upon me when I live comfortably,

While the fire in my liver blazes, its flames stoked.

And fire burns in my liver, its flames stoked high.

وما به مثل ما بي من جوى كمد

وما به مثل ما بي من جوى كمد

يهدى ويرقى رقى من دونها أجلي

يهدى ويرقى رقى من دونها أجلي

He feels nothing like the burning anguish of grief I feel.

None suffers as I do from raging fever

He offers guidance and recites charms, but my death comes before them.

That subsides and flares, flaring without end.

ناديته بعدما انسابت مواعظه

ناديته بعدما انسابت مواعظه

حولي ولا تنتحي سمعي ولا تصل

حولي ولا تنتحي سمعي ولا تصل

I called to him after his admonitions had flowed

I called to him after his counsel flowed around me,

Around me, neither turning toward my ears nor reaching them:

But it reaches not my hearing, nor makes contact.

لا تكثر اللوم فيما أنت جاهله

لا تكثر اللوم فيما أنت جاهله

كم عاذل وهو متحاج إلى عذل

كم عاذل وهو متحاج إلى عذل

Do not heap blame on what you do not understand.

Do not heap blame for what you do not know.

How many a reprover is himself in need of reproof!

How many a critic stands in need of blame!