إِذا زُرتَ المُلوكَ فَكُن رَئيساً

إِذا زُرتَ المُلوكَ فَكُن رَئيساً

بَصيراً بِالأُمورِ رَحيبَ صَدرِ

بَصيراً بِالأُمورِ رَحيبَ صَدرِ

If you visit kings, comport yourself as a leader,

When you visit kings, be high-minded

discerning in affairs and broad of heart.

Keen in mind, open-hearted

وَقابِل مِنهُمُ بِجَزيلِ شُكرٍ

وَقابِل مِنهُمُ بِجَزيلِ شُكرٍ

لَدَيكَ وَمَنعَهُم بِجَميلِ عُذرِ

لَدَيكَ وَمَنعَهُم بِجَميلِ عُذرِ

And meet what comes from them with abundant gratitude

And meet their gifts with ample thanks

on your part, and their withholding with a gracious excuse.

While gently refusing favors beyond your deserts

فَإِن أَقصَوكَ قُل هَذا مَقامي

فَإِن أَقصَوكَ قُل هَذا مَقامي

وَإِن أَدنوكَ قُل ذا فَوقَ قَدري

وَإِن أَدنوكَ قُل ذا فَوقَ قَدري

For if they keep you distant, say, 'This is my station';

If they ignore you, say "This is my proper station"

and if they bring you near, say, 'This is above my rank.'

And if they draw you near, say "That surpasses my worth"