1. السِرُّ مالٌ أَو دَمٌ

    في نَحرِهِ لا في يَدَيهِ

    A secret is wealth or blood,

    in his throat, not in his hands.

  2. إِن كانَ يَكتُمُ سِرُّهُ

    كانَ الخِيارُ بِهِ إِلَيهِ

    If he conceals his secret,

    the choice concerning it rests with him;

  3. أَو كانَ يُفشي سِرَّهُ

    كانَ الخِيارُ بِهِ عَلَيهِ

    or if he divulges his secret,

    the choice concerning it turns against him.

  4. قُل لِلمُحَدِّثِ بِالأَحا

    ديثِ الَّتي حُفِظَت لَدَيهِ

    Say to the teller of stories

    that were kept with him.