لا ينهضون إِلى مَجدٍ وَلا كَرَم

لا ينهضون إِلى مَجدٍ وَلا كَرَم

وَلا يَجودون إِلّا بِالمَعاذيرِ

وَلا يَجودون إِلّا بِالمَعاذيرِ

They strive for neither glory nor nobility,

They rise not to glory or generosity

They do not rise to glory nor to honor,

Nor are they generous with anything but excuses.

And give naught but poor excuses

And they are generous with nothing but excuses.