1. Had I not known what I have learnt, my ignorance would have delighted me,
Just as what I know has saddened me.
١. لو كنتُ أجهلُ ما علمتُ لسَرَّني
جَهْلي كما قد ساءني ما أعلَمُ
2. Like a nightingale grazing in gardens -
Yet it is imprisoned because it sings.
٢. كالصَّعْوِ يَرتَعُ في الرِّياضِ وإنّما
حُبسَ الهَزارُ لأنّه يتَرنَّم
3. Who will grant me the life of fools? For the only life
Is the life of one who does not understand.
٣. مَنْ لي بعَيْشِ الأغبياء فإنّه
لا عيشَ إلاّ عيشُ مَن لا يَفْهَم