1. حَذَفَ المُنى عَنهُ المُشَمِّرُ في الهُدى

    وَأَرى مُناكَ طَويلَةَ الأَذيالِ

    He who strives for right guidance has cast his wishes aside,

    and I see your wishes trailing long hems.

  2. حِيَلُ اِبنِ آدَمَ في الحَياةِ كَثيرَةٌ

    وَالمَوتُ يَقطَعُ حِيلَةَ المُحتالِ

    The son of Adam's stratagems in life are many,

    and death cuts short the schemer's stratagem.

  3. قِستُ السُؤالَ فَكانَ أَعظَمَ قيمَةً

    مِن كُلَّ عارِفَةٍ جَرَت بِسُؤالِ

    I weighed asking and found its cost greater

    than any favor obtained through asking.

  4. فَإِذا اِبتُليتَ بِبَذلِ وَجهِكَ سائِلاً

    فَاِبذُلهُ لِلمُتَكَرِّمِ المِفضالِ

    So if you are tried by offering your face as a petitioner,

    then offer it to the noble-hearted, bountiful man.

  5. وَإِذا خَشيتَ تَعَذُّراً في بَلدَةٍ

    فَاِشدُد يَدَيكَ بِعاجِلِ التَرحالِ

    And if you fear hardship in a town,

    then hold fast with both hands to swift departure.

  6. وَاِصبِر عَلى غِيَرِ الزَمانِ فَإِنَّما

    فَرَجُ الشَدائِدِ مِثلُ حَلِّ عِقالِ

    And endure the vicissitudes of time, for

    relief from hardships is but like untying a camel's hobble.