The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, XXIX

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

By fearing whom I trust I find my way
To truth; by trusting wholly I betray
     The trust of wisdom; better far is doubt
Which brings the false into the light of day.

Credit

The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala (James T. White & Co., 1920) by Abū al-‘Alā’ al-Ma‘arrī. Translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani. Copyright © 1920 by Ameen Rihani. This poem is in the public domain.

Translators
Ameen Rihani
1876 –
1940