1. They surpass them, for ignorance is in them,
And a man's ignorance is enough to blame him.
١. يفوقهمُ لأنَّ الجهلَ فيهم
وجهلُ المرء يكفيه الملاما
2. So the blame of an ignoble people, they have excelled,
With vileness, in the eyes of their kind, honorable.
٢. فربَّ لئامِ قومٍ قد تسامَوْا
بلؤمٍ عند ألأمهم كراما
3. And whoever contends for the foremost place,
Behind, will be for keeping silent, ahead.
٣. ومن يكُ للسوابقِ في رهانٍ
وراءَ يكنْ لِسِكِّيتٍ أَماما