إذا ما اجتهادُ المَرْءِ لم يكُ نافِعاً

إذا ما اجتهادُ المَرْءِ لم يكُ نافِعاً

بشَيءٍ فترْكُ الاجتهاد من الحزْمِ

بشَيءٍ فترْكُ الاجتهاد من الحزْمِ

If a man's striving proves of no use

If a man's effort avails him naught

in anything, then abandoning striving is a mark of prudence.

In aught, to cease from effort is the wiser part;

وراحَةُ منْ لم يستفدْ بعَنائهِ

وراحَةُ منْ لم يستفدْ بعَنائهِ

مُراداً منَ الأيام أوْلى من الهَمِّ

مُراداً منَ الأيام أوْلى من الهَمِّ

And rest, for one who has not gained through his toil

And ease for him who gains no profit from his pain

what he desires from the days, is preferable to worry.

Is better than the toil that brings but stress of brain.

وما وقْعُ أطرافِ الأسِنَّة والظُّبى

وما وقْعُ أطرافِ الأسِنَّة والظُّبى

بأوجعَ من تقديم جهلٍ على عِلْمِ

بأوجعَ من تقديم جهلٍ على عِلْمِ

Nor is the impact of spearpoints and sword-edges

What falls from tongues and traces left by writing-reeds

more painful than placing ignorance above knowledge.

Hurt less than folly uttered where is call for rede.

فلا تعْتَبنَّ الدهر حُرّاً رأيْتَهُ

فلا تعْتَبنَّ الدهر حُرّاً رأيْتَهُ

حَرون السَّجايا إِنْ رأى سائق الظُّلم

حَرون السَّجايا إِنْ رأى سائق الظُّلم

So never reproach a noble man whom you have seen

Then chide not Fortune turning free, if her thou see

stubborn in temper if he sees the driver of injustice.

Hot brands the hides of men, blind driver of the night.