The pairings yaʿṣi / yuṭīʿu (defy / obey), ḥamd / dhamm (praise / blame), yukarrim / yukarram (honor / be honored) and ziyādah / naqṣ (increase / decrease) make contrasts intellectually concise.
These are argumentative devices rather than mere ornament. Lisān al-fatā nisfun wa-niṣfun fuʾāduhu instead creates balance, while the repeated verbs of requesting and giving build an audible rhythm toward the final caution.
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Zuhayr ibn Abī Sulmā: Mortality, Generosity, Self-Respect and Wisdom of Speech (Verses 53–62)
The pairings yaʿṣi / yuṭīʿu (defy / obey), ḥamd / dhamm (praise / blame), yukarrim / yukarram (honor / be honored) and ziyādah / naqṣ (increase / decrease) make contrasts intellectually concise.
These are argumentative devices rather than mere ornament. Lisān al-fatā nisfun wa-niṣfun fuʾāduhu instead creates balance, while the repeated verbs of requesting and giving build an audible rhythm toward the final caution.