سَدِّد مَرامي الطِفلِ في شَأنِهِ

سَدِّد مَرامي الطِفلِ في شَأنِهِ

بِلَفظَةٍ تَشدُد بِها أَزرَه

بِلَفظَةٍ تَشدُد بِها أَزرَه

Guide the child's aims in his affairs,

Guide the child's purpose in his affair

With a word by which you bolster his strength.

With a phrase that strengthens his resolve

وَاِكتَفِ بِاللَمحَةِ مِن فَهمِهِ

وَاِكتَفِ بِاللَمحَةِ مِن فَهمِهِ

إِنَّ المَبادي أَبَداً نَزرَه

إِنَّ المَبادي أَبَداً نَزرَه

And be content with a glimpse of his understanding;

And be content with a hint of his understanding

Indeed, beginnings are always small.

For principles are always paltry to him

أَما تَرى النيرانَ مِن شُعلَةٍ

أَما تَرى النيرانَ مِن شُعلَةٍ

وَالدَوحَةَ اللَفاءَ مِن بَزرَه

وَالدَوحَةَ اللَفاءَ مِن بَزرَه

Do you not see fires spring from a flame,

Don't you see how fires flare from a spark

And the great, leafy tree from a seed?

And palms flourish from a seed?