إذا المرء اعيته المروءة ناشئا

إذا المرء اعيته المروءة ناشئا

فمطلبها كهلا عليه شديد

فمطلبها كهلا عليه شديد

If noble character eludes a man in his youth,

If nobility of character eludes a man in his youth,

then seeking it in middle age is hard for him indeed.

Then seeking it in middle age is hard for him.

وكائن رأينا من غنى مذمّم

وكائن رأينا من غنى مذمّم

وصعلوك قوم مات وهو حميد

وصعلوك قوم مات وهو حميد

How many a wealthy man have we seen who was condemned,

And how many a wealthy man we have seen reviled,

and many a pauper among his people who died esteemed.

And a tribe’s pauper who died worthy of praise.