1. أخوان بينهما أشد تقلب

    وعلى التقلب ليس يجتمعان

    Two brothers, with the utmost alternation between them;

    Yet despite their alternation, they never meet.

  2. إن طال هذا كان هذا قاصراً

    فعلى إخائهما هما ضدان

    If this one grows long, that one is short;

    So despite their brotherhood, they are opposites.

  3. متحرك هذا وهذا ساكن

    والفرق بينهما وعيشك دان

    This one moves, and that one is still;

    And the difference between them, by your life, is close at hand.