وإنّ سَفَاهَ الشّيخِ لا حِلْمَ بَعْدَه

وإنّ سَفَاهَ الشّيخِ لا حِلْمَ بَعْدَه

وإنّ الفَتَى بَعْدَ السّفاهةِ يَحْلَمُ

وإنّ الفَتَى بَعْدَ السّفاهةِ يَحْلَمُ

An old man's folly is followed by no forbearance,

The foolishness of an old man leaves no wisdom after,

while a young man grows forbearing after folly.

Yet the youth becomes wise after foolishness.

وما قَتَلَ السّفَاهةَ مِثْلُ حِلْمٍ

وما قَتَلَ السّفَاهةَ مِثْلُ حِلْمٍ

يَعودُ بهِ على الجَهْلِ الحليمُ

يَعودُ بهِ على الجَهْلِ الحليمُ

And nothing kills foolishness like forbearance,

Nothing kills foolishness like wise forbearance

with which the forbearing man responds to ignorance.

Which the gentle man uses to overcome ignorance.

فلا تَسْفَهْ وإنْ مُلّيتَ غَيْظاً

فلا تَسْفَهْ وإنْ مُلّيتَ غَيْظاً

عَلَى أحدٍ فإنّ الفحشَ لُومُ

عَلَى أحدٍ فإنّ الفحشَ لُومُ

So do not act foolishly, even if you are filled with rage

So do not act foolishly, even if provoked to anger

toward anyone, for foul speech is blameworthy.

Against another, for abuse is blameworthy.

ولا تقطعْ أخاً لكَ عِنْدَ ذَنْبٍ

ولا تقطعْ أخاً لكَ عِنْدَ ذَنْبٍ

فإِنّ الذّنْبَ يعفوهُ الكريمُ

فإِنّ الذّنْبَ يعفوهُ الكريمُ

And do not cut off a brother of yours over a fault,

And do not break with a brother over a sin,

for a noble man forgives the fault.

For the noble forgive sins.