1. أضحى النبيه أخو البراعة صامتاً

    ملقى سدى وحديثهُ مهجورُ

    The discerning man, endowed with skill, has fallen silent,

    cast aside and left idle, his speech neglected.

  2. وغدا البليد أخو الجهالة ناطقاً

    فيما يشا وخطاؤه مشكورُ

    And the dullard, steeped in ignorance, has begun to speak

    about whatever he wishes, and his errors are praised.

  3. صدق المثال الدهر دولابٌ فما

    بسوى الحمير أو البغال يدورُ

    The saying holds true: time is a wheel, and it does not

    turn except by donkeys or mules.