1. If the turns of fate do not make a youth wise,
And its blows do not make him take heed,
١. إذا نكبات الدهرِ لم تعظِ الفتى
وتقرع منه لم تعظّه عواذلُهْ
2. And if he was not taught by his father and mother,
He will be taught by the terrors of misfortune and its tremors.
٢. ومن لم يؤدبه أبوه وأمه
تؤدَبهَ روعاتَ الردى وزلازلُهْ
3. So abandon what you cannot attain, do not follow
Your desires, and do not let falsehood prevail over your right.
٣. فدع عنك ما لا تستطيعُ ولا تطِعْ
هواك ولا يغلب بحقِّكَ باطِلُهْ