لا تطلب الإنصاف من امرىء

لا تطلب الإنصاف من امرىء

لا يُوجبُ الحقّ على نفسه

لا يُوجبُ الحقّ على نفسه

Do not seek fairness from a man

Do not seek fairness from one

who does not bind himself to what is right.

Who does not hold himself to what is right

ولا تُرجّي الوُدّ ممّن يرى

ولا تُرجّي الوُدّ ممّن يرى

أنّك تحتاجُ إلى فلسه

أنّك تحتاجُ إلى فلسه

Nor hope for affection from one who thinks

And do not expect affection from one

that you need his copper coin.

Who sees you in need of his penny