1. When the ignoble disparage me, I rise higher in nobility,
And no fault is there save that I am their disparager's target.
١. إِذا سَبَّني نَذلٌ تَزايَدتُ رِفعَةً
وَما العَيبُ إِلّا أَن أَكونَ مُسابِبُه
2. Had my soul not been precious to me,
I would have protected it from every ignoble warrior.
٢. وَلَو لَم تَكُن نَفسي عَلَيَّ عَزيزَةً
لَمَكَنتُها مِن كُلِّ نَذلٍ تُحارِبُه
3. And had I strived for my own benefit I would have been,
Often hesitant towards what I seek.
٣. وَلَو أَنَّني أَسعى لِنَفعي وَجَدتَني
كَثيرَ التَواني لِلَّذي أَنا طالِبُه
4. But I strive to benefit my companion,
And it is a disgrace upon the sated one if his companion goes hungry.
٤. وَلَكِنَّني أَسعى لِأَنفَعَ صاحِبي
وَعارٌ عَلى الشَبعانِ إِن جاعَ صاحِبُه