1. إنما العقل أساس

    فوقه الأخلاق سور

    Reason is but a foundation;

    Above it, morals form a wall.

  2. فتحل العقل بالعل

    م وإلا فهو بور

    So adorn reason with knowl-

    edge; otherwise it is barren.

  3. جاهل الأشياء أعمى

    لا يرى حيث يدور

    One ignorant of things is blind;

    He does not see where he turns.

  4. وتمام العلم بالعد

    ل وإلا فهو زور

    And knowledge is perfected by jus-

    tice; otherwise it is falsehood.

  5. وتمام العدل بالجو

    د وإلا فيجور

    And justice is perfected by generos-

    ity; otherwise it turns unjust.

  6. وملاك الجود بالنج

    دة والجبن غرور

    And generosity's mainstay is cour-

    age; and cowardice is delusion.

  7. عف إن كنت غيوراً

    مازني قط غيور

    Be chaste if you are jealous for honor;

    No one jealous for honor has ever fornicated.

  8. وكمال الكل بالتق

    وى وقول الحق نور

    And all is perfected by pi-

    ety; and speaking the truth is light.

  9. ذي أصول الفضل عنها

    جدثت بعد النزور

    These are the roots of virtue; from them

    [Unclear verb in the supplied text] after scarcity.