1. Behold, the best a man can have is reason to adorn him,
Else influence to promote him if no reason be his;
١. ألا خَيْرُ ما لِلْمَرءِ عَقْلٌ يَزيْنُهُ
فإنْ لم يَكُنْ عَقْلٌ فَجاهٌ ينفِّقُهْ
2. Or wealth to veil his defects should reason miss him;
But the best of veils is that which naught can pierce.
٢. وإِلّا فمالٌ ساتِرٌ مِنْ عُوارِهِ
وما خيرُ سِتْرٍ قَدْ يُخافُ تَمَزُّقُهْ
3. If a man lack all three means let hell fire burn him;
'Tis best for him from his Lord in flames to perish.
٣. فإنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ مِنْ ذِي الثَّلاثَةِ واحِدٌ
فأوْلى لَهُ نارٌ مِنَ اللهِ تُحرِقُهْ