اقبَل مَعاذيرَ مَن يَأتيكَ مُعتَذِراً

اقبَل مَعاذيرَ مَن يَأتيكَ مُعتَذِراً

إِن بَرَّ عِندَكَ فيما قالَ أَو فَجَرا

إِن بَرَّ عِندَكَ فيما قالَ أَو فَجَرا

Accept the excuses of one who comes to you apologizing,

Accept the excuses of those who come to you apologetic

whether he was truthful with you in what he said or lied.

If he is virtuous in your eyes in what he says or commits

لَقَد أَطاعَكَ مَن يُرضيكَ ظاهِرُهُ

لَقَد أَطاعَكَ مَن يُرضيكَ ظاهِرُهُ

وَقَد أَجَلَّكَ مَن يَعصيكَ مُستَتِرا

وَقَد أَجَلَّكَ مَن يَعصيكَ مُستَتِرا

Indeed, one whose outward conduct pleases you has obeyed you;

He who pleases you outwardly has obeyed you

and one who disobeys you in secret has shown you respect.

And he who disobeys you secretly has exalted you