إِحرِص عَلى مَدحٍ تُقلَّد غائباً

إِحرِص عَلى مَدحٍ تُقلَّد غائباً

لا حاضراً فالكُلُّ يُمدَح حاضرا

لا حاضراً فالكُلُّ يُمدَح حاضرا

Seek praise that adorns you in your absence,

Strive to praise one who's absent, not present,

not in your presence, for everyone is praised when present.

For all when present are praised, it's evident.

مَن كانَ يًصفَع في قَفاهُ فوجهَهُ

مَن كانَ يًصفَع في قَفاهُ فوجهَهُ

فَقَد الحيآءَ فراح كزّا باسرا

فَقَد الحيآءَ فراح كزّا باسرا

Whoever is slapped on the back of his neck—his face

One slapped on the nape or slapped in the face

has lost its shame and become sullen and scowling.

Has shame lost and roams as a clown, a disgrace.