1. By your life, a young man is not called generous among his people
Unless he is truly generous.
١. لَعَمْرُكَ مَا يُدْعَى الْفَتَى بَيْنَ قَوْمِهِ
بِذِي كَرَمٍ حَتَّى يَكُونَ كَرِيمَا
2. The miserly man will not keep his wealth for long
If he fears loss, he will be called miserable.
٢. وَلَنْ يَلْبَثَ الْمَرْءُ الضَّنِينُ بِمَالِهِ
إِذَا خَافَ غُرْمَاً أَنْ يُعَدَّ لَئِيمَا
3. The young man is not one who has acquired wealth, but rather
The young man of the people is one whose hands have enriched the destitute.
٣. فَلَيْسَ الْفَتَى مَنْ حَازَ مَالاً وَإِنَّمَا
فَتَى الْقَوْمِ مَنْ أَغْنَتْ يَدَاهُ عَدِيمَا
4. So distinguish between what you choose to do, and seek
For yourself a share, that you may become great.
٤. فَمِزْ بَيْنَ مَا تَخْتَارُ فِي الْفِعْلِ وَالْتَمِسْ
لِنَفْسِكَ حَظّاً كَيْ تَكُونَ عَظِيمَا