1. No matter how long you live, wealth is not gained by intellect,
Nor is intellect gained by amassing money,
١. لَعَمرُكَ ما بِالعَقلِ يُكتَسَبُ الغِنى
وَلا بِاِكتِسابِ المالِ يُكتَسَبُ العَقلُ
2. And how many poor are praised for their virtue,
While another has wealth but no virtue.
٢. وَكَم مِن قَليلِ المالِ يحمَد فَضلُهُ
وَآخرَ ذي مال وَلَيسَ لَهُ فَضلُ
3. No blessing ever came to an ignorant person,
Except that ignorance brought him harm with it.
٣. وَما سَبَقَت مِن جاهِلٍ قَطُّ نِعمَةٌ
إِلى أَحَدٍ إِلّا أَضَرَّ بِها الجَهلُ
4. A man of understanding, if he is not given wealth, his intellect is praised
And if he is given wealth, his words and deeds adorn it.
٤. وَذو اللُبِّ إِن لَم يُعطِ أحمدتَ عَقلَهُ
وَإِن هُوَ أَعطى زانَهُ القَولُ وَالفِعلُ