إِنَّ القَليلَ مِنَ الكَلامِ بِأَهلِهِ

إِنَّ القَليلَ مِنَ الكَلامِ بِأَهلِهِ

حسَنٌ وَإِنَّ كَثيرَهُ مَمقوتُ

حسَنٌ وَإِنَّ كَثيرَهُ مَمقوتُ

Indeed, a little speech to those suited to it

A little speech is good from one who is worthy,

Indeed, brief speech from those worthy of it

Is good, while much of it is detested.

Though much talk is disgusting.

Is excellent, while an excess of it is despised.

ما زَلَّ ذو صَمتٍ وَما مِن مُكثِرٍ

ما زَلَّ ذو صَمتٍ وَما مِن مُكثِرٍ

إِلّا يُزَلُّ وَما يُعابُ صَموتُ

إِلّا يُزَلُّ وَما يُعابُ صَموتُ

No silent person has stumbled, and no one who talks much

Silent men ne'er err,

The keeper of silence has never slipped, nor is there one who speaks too much

Escapes being made to stumble; no silent person is faulted.

While the talkative seldom are faultless.

Except that he is made to stumble, while the silent one is never blamed.

إِن كانَ يَنطِقُ ناطِقاً مِن فِضَّةٍ

إِن كانَ يَنطِقُ ناطِقاً مِن فِضَّةٍ

فَالصَمتُ دُرٌّ زانَهُ ياقوتُ

فَالصَمتُ دُرٌّ زانَهُ ياقوتُ

If a speaker's speech were of silver,

If speech be of silver enchanting the ears,

If a speaker were to utter words of silver,

Then silence is a pearl adorned with rubies.

Silence is a pearl which a jeweller seeks.

Then silence is a pearl adorned with rubies.