1. كَفاكَ عَنِ الدُنيا الذَميمَةِ مَخبَراً

    غِنى باخِليها وَافتِقارِ كِرامِها

    Enough testimony for you about this blameworthy world is

    the wealth of its misers and the poverty of its generous people,

  2. وَأَنَّ رِجالَ النَفعِ تَحتَ مَداسِها

    وَأَنَّ رِجالَ الضُرِّ فَوقَ سَنامِها

    and that men who bring benefit are beneath its tread,

    and that men who bring harm are atop its hump.