إني ومنْ أكْرِموا لزيِّهمُ

إني ومنْ أكْرِموا لزيِّهمُ

بالعلم ضِدَّان حين نَحْتكمُ

بالعلم ضِدَّان حين نَحْتكمُ

Indeed, I and those honored for their attire

I and those who are honored for their garb

are opposites in learning when we submit to judgment.

By knowledge are opposites when we contend

قد اقتسمنا زيَّاً ومعرفةً

قد اقتسمنا زيَّاً ومعرفةً

فالعلمُ عندي والزيُّ عندهم

فالعلمُ عندي والزيُّ عندهم

We have divided attire and knowledge between us:

We have shared a garment and knowledge

so learning is mine, and attire is theirs.

So knowledge is mine and the garb is theirs

كمْ طيْلسانٍ هزَمْتُ حاملَهُ

كمْ طيْلسانٍ هزَمْتُ حاملَهُ

في يلْمَقٍ حين أشْكلَ الكَلِمُ

في يلْمَقٍ حين أشْكلَ الكَلِمُ

Many a mantle-wearer have I defeated,

How many pretentious fools I have defeated

clad in a coat when words grew obscure.

In an argument when discourse grew complex

والحربُ لا تنْفعُ الغُمُودُ لها

والحربُ لا تنْفعُ الغُمُودُ لها

وإنما تنْفعُ الظُّبى الخُذُمُ

وإنما تنْفعُ الظُّبى الخُذُمُ

And in war, scabbards are of no use;

And war is not aided by the arrogant

only keen-cutting blades are of use.

Rather the brave young warriors are its aid