ورام بعوران الكلام كأنها

ورام بعوران الكلام كأنها

نوافر صبح نفّرتها المراتع

نوافر صبح نفّرتها المراتع

And one who hurls shameful words, as though they were

Like startled gazelles at dawn, scattering,

Fleeing pale beasts, scattered by the grazing grounds.

her words startle, then dart swiftly away.

وقد يدحضُ المرء الموارب بالخنا

وقد يدحضُ المرء الموارب بالخنا

وقد تدرك المرء الكريم المصانع

وقد تدرك المرء الكريم المصانع

And a crafty man may be brought down by foul speech,

A cunning man may set traps with his words,

And a noble man may be overtaken by blandishments.

yet a noble soul attains all he desires.

وساع برجليه لآخر قاعدٍ

وساع برجليه لآخر قاعدٍ

ومعطٍ كريمٌ ذو يسار ومانع

ومعطٍ كريمٌ ذو يسار ومانع

And one who strives on his own feet for another who sits,

One hurries to aid another who sits idle,

And a generous, wealthy giver, and one who withholds;

a generous man, blessed with skill and tact.

وبان لأحساب الكرام وهادمٌ

وبان لأحساب الكرام وهادمٌ

وخافض مولاه سفاها ورافع

وخافض مولاه سفاها ورافع

And one who builds up noble men's honor, and one who tears it down;

The noble prove their worth when tested,

And one who foolishly debases his kinsman, and one who raises him;

while the foolish make and break their vows.

ومغضٍ على بعض الخصوم وقد بدت

ومغضٍ على بعض الخصوم وقد بدت

له عورة من ذي القرابة ضاجع

له عورة من ذي القرابة ضاجع

And one who overlooks some adversaries, though there has appeared

Keeping silent towards some opponents,

To him a kinsman's weakness—he hangs back;

though pained by a kinsman’s disgrace.

وطالب حوب باللسان وقلبُه

وطالب حوب باللسان وقلبُه

سوى الحقّ لا تخفى عليه الشرائع

سوى الحقّ لا تخفى عليه الشرائع

And one who seeks sin with his tongue, while his heart

With words he claims to seek only justice,

Is apart from the right—the laws are not hidden from him.

yet his heart strays from truth’s narrow path.