إِذا حاجَةٌ وَلَّتكَ لَيسَ تَسطيعُها

إِذا حاجَةٌ وَلَّتكَ لَيسَ تَسطيعُها

فَخُذ طَرَفاً مِن حاجَةٍ لَيسَ تُسبَقُ

فَخُذ طَرَفاً مِن حاجَةٍ لَيسَ تُسبَقُ

If a goal turns its back on you and you cannot attain it,

If a need turns you away, beyond your reach,

Then take a portion of a goal in which you are not outstripped;

Then take a part of a need none can forestall.

فَذَلِكَ أَحرى أَن تَنالَ جَسيمَها

فَذَلِكَ أَحرى أَن تَنالَ جَسيمَها

وَلَلقَصدُ أَبقى في الأُمورِ وَأَرفَقُ

وَلَلقَصدُ أَبقى في الأُمورِ وَأَرفَقُ

For that is likelier to let you attain its greater part,

So you're more likely to attain its sum,

And moderation in affairs is surely more lasting and gentler.

While purpose lasts, gentler in all affairs.