وقد يحكم الأيام من كان جاهلاً

وقد يحكم الأيام من كان جاهلاً

ويردي الهوى ذا الرأي وهو لبيبُ

ويردي الهوى ذا الرأي وهو لبيبُ

And an ignorant man may rule the days.

And the days may give judgment over one who was ignorant

And passion brings a man of judgment to ruin, though he is wise.

And desire ruins the one of sound judgement, though he be clever

ويحمد في الأمر وهو مخطىء

ويحمد في الأمر وهو مخطىء

ويعذل في الإحسان وهو مصيب

ويعذل في الإحسان وهو مصيب

And he is praised in a matter, though he is mistaken.

And one is praised for a matter wherein he erred

And he is reproached for doing good, though he is right.

And reproached for benefaction wherein he was right