بلاغَةُ كاتِبِ السُّلطانِ فاعلَمْ

بلاغَةُ كاتِبِ السُّلطانِ فاعلَمْ

يلاعب في فَقْرٍ وذُلِّ

يلاعب في فَقْرٍ وذُلِّ

The eloquence of the sultan's scribe—know this—

The eloquence of the sultan's scribe, know it well,

He plays amid poverty and humiliation.

Toys with poverty and disgrace.

فلا تتعَلَّموها ما استطَعْتُمْ

فلا تتعَلَّموها ما استطَعْتُمْ

وإلاّ كُنتُمُ في الفَقْرِ مِثلي

وإلاّ كُنتُمُ في الفَقْرِ مِثلي

So do not learn it, as far as you can,

So do not learn it, if you are able,

Or else you will be like me in poverty.

Else you will be mired in want, like me.