بُنَيَّ إنَّ فضولَ الحظِّ مَبْشَمةٌ

بُنَيَّ إنَّ فضولَ الحظِّ مَبْشَمةٌ

فخذ لقوتِك بعض الحظ واتَّركِ

فخذ لقوتِك بعض الحظ واتَّركِ

My little son, excess fortune brings indigestion.

My son, excessive fortune is alluring,

So take a share of fortune for your sustenance, and leave the rest.

So take some luck for your livelihood and leave the rest,

وكن قلنْسُوَةَ المملوك تحظَ بها

وكن قلنْسُوَةَ المملوك تحظَ بها

ولا تكوننَّ نعليْ بِذْلة الملكِ

ولا تكوننَّ نعليْ بِذْلة الملكِ

And be the slave's cap; you will find favor through it.

And be a slave's turban that is content with it

And never be the king's everyday sandals.

Instead of being the king's shoes in humiliation.