1. When a man becomes impoverished, his virtues are belittled.
His kinsmen scorn him, and strangers shun him.
١. إِذَا افْتَقَرَ الْمَرْءُ اسْتَهَانَ بِفَضْلِهِ
ذَوُو قُرْبِهِ وَاسْتَهْجَنَتْهُ الأَبَاعِدُ
2. If he speaks the truth, they call him a liar.
If he refuses to conform to their wrongdoing, they call him stubborn.
٢. فَإِنْ قَالَ حَقَّاً كَذَّبُوهُ وَإِنْ أَبى
مُجَارَاتَهُمْ في الْغَيِّ قَالُوا مُعَانِدُ
3. So his argument, though just, is rejected,
And his words, though sincere, are disliked.
٣. فَحُجَّتُهُ مَطْلُولَةٌ وَهْيَ حَقَّةٌ
وَمَنْطِقُهُ مُسْتَكْرَهٌ وَهْوَ قَاصِدُ
4. Therefore guard your wealth, gained through hard work,
For with money, not merit, you will achieve your goals.
٤. فَحَافِظ عَلَى مَا نِلْتَ بِالسَّعْيِ مِنْ غِنىً
فَبِالْمَالِ لا بِالْفَضْلِ تَعْنُو الْمَقَاصِدُ