Verses by Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma
- Zuhayr states:
He who does not engage in diplomacy in many matters,
Will be ground down by teeth and trodden underfoot.
And he who sets forth good deeds without safeguarding his honor,
Will find that good deeds flee from him, while one who does not bear insults will be insulted.
He who possesses virtue yet hoards it from his people,
Will find he is superfluous and will be despised.
One who is loyal will not be criticized, and whoever’s heart is at ease,
Will not falter on the path of righteousness.
Those who fear the means of death will indeed encounter it,
Even if they ascend the sky on a ladder.
He who extends good deeds to those unworthy of them,
Will find his praise turns into blame, leading to regret.
Anyone who disobeys the rules of perception,
Obeys the forces of chaos which have been unleashed.
And he who does not defend his domain with his weapon,
Will be destroyed, and he who does not wrong others will suffer wrong.
He who wanders far may mistake an enemy for a friend,
And one who does not honor himself will not be honored.
Whatever qualities someone may possess,
If he believes they are hidden from others, will eventually be revealed.
And you may see someone silent who fascinates you,
Yet his increase or decrease will depend on his speech.
A young man’s tongue is half of him, and his heart is the other half;
What remains is merely the form of flesh and blood.
- He also states:
I refrain from slandering a friend, and whoever sells
His father’s honor in society will inevitably suffer.
He who does not place his foot firmly upon the ground,
Causes it to slip beneath him.
I hold my tongue regarding my friend, even if he speaks harshly,
For I am bound by every bond.
Like the fall of a mango, which comes free,
The strong crushes his enemies with resolve.
When he approaches the strike, they are powerless, as if
They are swept away by panic like twigs in a storm.
In wisdom is a way out, and in forgiveness is a practice;
In truth lies salvation from evil, so speak truthfully.
He who seeks good praise with his wealth,
Protects his honor from every shameful scandal.
And whoever fails to protect his honor by the windows
Will find himself exposed and humiliated.
Verses by Tarfa ibn al-Abd
- Tarfa declares:
Goodness is valuable, even if time stretches it,
And evil is the worst burden one may carry.
- He also mentions:
A small matter can set forth a great action,
Until blood is shed in tumult.
Oppression divides the bond between Wail’s two children:
A heifer, led to slaughter by fate, prevails.
Evident oppression may yield delay,
Salt mixed with bitterness shows the measure.
The disgrace of one who lacks devotion leads to vile contagion,
Spreading as does the infection of a sick man.
Sin is a malady from which there is no recovery,
While righteousness is a cure without fault.
And truth is familiar to the noble one hoped for,
While lies are suited to the despicable and lowly.
And I have come to realize that time might overpower me,
Just as it did “Ad” and their succeeding generations.
Discharge your dues, and your honor will be intact,
As surely as the noble will be angered when wronged.
- He additionally states:
When a day arrives, it leads him by its reins,
And he who is bound in death’s grasp finds no escape.
When you cannot benefit your neighbor with goodwill,
And cannot repel your adversary with misery, withdraw!
I see that death shows no regard for kin,
Even if they are exalted in the world.
And there is no good in an act of kindness if evil lies before it,
Nor is there anyone who will come to you after the danger subsides.
Indeed, what are days but borrowed time,
What you have done to benefit, take with you!
Inquire not of a person but of his companion,
For all companions will reflect their character.
- He further observes:
And the oppression of kin is the most grievous pain,
To the soul than the strike of a honed blade.
Verses by Al-A’sha
- Al-A’sha articulates:
You will be pleased and granted everything you desire,
And whoever asks too much is bound to be deprived.
- He also states:
By your life! Time’s length brings naught but toil,
Wherein one remains cursed by the unpredictability of mortality.
And the affliction of one’s kin, along with sorrow,
Is like a child lost in a desolate land.
And I do not see fate in its turn,
Leaving behind an old man or a youth.
Does hesitation prevent me from seeking peril,
Because of the dread of death that may approach?
Isn’t brotherhood in death reliable,
Even if I say I have been granted reprieve?
Surely, a guardian watches over me,
Concerning every individual who has been rejected.
- He adds:
We are all captivated, raving about our companions,
Whether they are near or far, beloved or hastily extended.
- He also states:
Time may leave in a steadfast demeanor,
Then suddenly descend upon it a thunderous calamity.
Verses by Imru al-Qays
- Imru al-Qays proclaims:
He raised opposition between the bull and the sheep,
As the beast’s enmity towards me was thus toward the battle.
As if with the strength of wings I can charge,
Hunting like an eagle in the thickets.
Dust raised from the sunshine,
The fox has been cornered.
As the hearts of birds are raw and hardy,
Within their nest of jujube and shattered reeds.
If what I seek comprised merely a simple sustenance,
That would suffice; I do not covet lesser wealth.
But rather, I strive for lasting glory,
For glory may indeed be attained by those like me.
The man, as long as his desires remain alive,
Is not a stranger to the trials lest he end.
- He continues:
If we walked for fifteen nights,
Against the backdrop of Caesar’s fortifications.
If I declare that this companion is satisfactory,
And my eyes are content, let me exchange him for another.
Such is the nature of my friendships,
Among people: they betray and change.
We came from among those of Qurmul’s raid,
Who inherited wealth and glory grander than their own.
Our steeds did not falter, but were wise to remember,
Their grazing spots in Barba’isha and Maisar.
Verses by Ka’b ibn Zuhayr
- Ka’b states:
I guard my trust and will not betray my commitment;
Indeed, the betrayer is doomed on the treacherous path.
- He further proclaims:
If I could marvel at anything, it would be
The endeavors of a young man, for destiny keeps him hidden.
A young man strives for aims he may not reach,
While the soul remains singular amidst scattered concerns.
A person, as long as they live, is stretched with hope;
The eye does not cease until the traces have faded.
Verses by Antara ibn Shaddad
- Antara ibn Shaddad expresses:
When time reveals its veil to you,
And destiny stretches forth its hand.
Do not fear death, take the plunge,
And resist it as much as you can.
Do not choose a silk covering for your sleep,
Nor weep for the lands and the spaces.
And around you are women mourning in sorrow,
Tearing down their veils and rejecting the world.