1. The virtuous in this life are envied
And all who are envied have purpose
١. ذُو الفَضل في دُنياهُ مَحسودُ
وكلُّ مَن يُحْسَدُ مَقصودُ
2. And wood, without its sweet scent
Would not be burned, the wood
٢. والعُودُ لَولا عَبَقٌ طَيِّبٌ
من عَرْفِهِ ما أُحرِقِ العُودُ
3. So be aware of what I have said, you are generous
Wisdom and generosity described in you
٣. فافطَنْ لِما قلتُ فأنتَ امْروٌ
مِن وَصفِهِ الفِطنَةُ والجُودُ
4. For each person among us, there are three selves
Each struggles against the other in its aims
٤. لكُلِّ امرئٍ منَا نفوسٌ ثلاثَةٌ
يعارِض بعْضاً بعضُها في المقَاصِدِ
5. One self desires, another blames
And a third guides towards wisdom
٥. فنَفْسُ تمنّيهِ وأخرى تَلومُهُ
وثالِثَةٌ تَهديهِ نَحوَ المرَاشِدِ