1. رُبَّما أَمتَعَ القَليل

    مِنَ المالِ أَو كَفى

    Sometimes a little brings pleasure—

    Of wealth—or is enough;

  2. وَإِذا زادَ كَثرَةً

    وَعَدا القَدرَ أَتلَفا

    And when it grows abundant

    And exceeds due measure, it brings ruin,

  3. كَسِراجٍ مُنَوّرٍ

    إِن طَفا دُهنُهُ اِنطَفى

    Like a shining lamp:

    If its oil rises too high, it goes out.