103 – Abu ʿAbd Allah ʿAbd al-Wahid ibn Harun related to me; he said: I heard Abu ʿAbd Allah al-Atisi recite:

[in the wāfir metre]

Guard yourself, as far as you are able, from the fool;
meet him with forbearance, for all virtue lies therein.

A fool may disobey those who try to school him,
and by sheer obstinacy weary even the just.

You show him gentleness, yet he grows only harsher—
like a vicious donkey kicking the one who feeds it.

Should you ever find yourself burdened with a fool,
equip yourself with patience and resolve, and be ready to patch the holes he makes.