وَمَن كَرُمَت طِبائِعُهُ تَحَلّى

وَمَن كَرُمَت طِبائِعُهُ تَحَلّى

بِآدابٍ مُفَصَلَةٍ حِسانِ

بِآدابٍ مُفَصَلَةٍ حِسانِ

And whoever has noble traits adorns himself

He whose nature was graced with nobility

He whose nature is noble adorns himself

with fine, well-defined manners.

Wore refined manners and gentility,

With virtues distinct and beautiful.

وَمَن قَلَّت مَطامِعُهُ تَغَطّى

وَمَن قَلَّت مَطامِعُهُ تَغَطّى

مِنَ الدُنيا بِأَثوابِ الأَمانِ

مِنَ الدُنيا بِأَثوابِ الأَمانِ

And whoever has few cravings cloaks himself

And he whose ambitions were few

And he whose greed is scant cloaks himself

against the world in robes of safety.

Took from the world robes of safety.

From the world in the garments of safety.

وَما يَدري الفَتى ماذا يُلاقي

وَما يَدري الفَتى ماذا يُلاقي

إِذا ما عاشَ مِن حَدَثِ الزَمانِ

إِذا ما عاشَ مِن حَدَثِ الزَمانِ

And a young man knows not what he will encounter

The youth knows not what he will face

For a man knows not what he shall encounter

of time's misfortunes, should he live on.

As he lives through the days of his life,

So long as he lives, from the vicissitudes of time.

فَإِن غَدَرَت بِكَ الأَيامُ فَاِصبِر

فَإِن غَدَرَت بِكَ الأَيامُ فَاِصبِر

وَكُن بِاللَهِ مَحمودَ المَعاني

وَكُن بِاللَهِ مَحمودَ المَعاني

So if the days betray you, be patient,

So if time betrays you, then be patient,

So if the days betray you, hold fast to patience,

and, with God's help, be of praiseworthy character.

And be with God of praised qualities.

And through God, remain praiseworthy in your character.

وَلا تَكُ ساكِناً في دارِ ذُلٍّ

وَلا تَكُ ساكِناً في دارِ ذُلٍّ

فَإِنَّ الذُلَّ يُقرَنُ بِالهَوانِ

فَإِنَّ الذُلَّ يُقرَنُ بِالهَوانِ

And do not dwell in an abode of humiliation,

Do not stay long in an abode of disgrace,

And do not dwell in an abode of humiliation,

for humiliation is coupled with disgrace.

For disgrace is coupled with dishonor.

For humiliation is yoked to disgrace.

وِإِن أَولاكَ ذو كَرَمً جَميلاً

وِإِن أَولاكَ ذو كَرَمً جَميلاً

فَكُن بِالشُكرِ مُنطَلِقَ اللِسانِ

فَكُن بِالشُكرِ مُنطَلِقَ اللِسانِ

And if a generous man bestows a kindness upon you,

And if a generous one gives you kindness,

And if a generous soul bestows a favor upon you,

then let your tongue flow freely with gratitude.

Then with gratitude let your tongue speak.

Then let your tongue be eloquent in gratitude.