1. Do not envy one who boasts of wealth,
Nor deem him happy, for riches are but dust.

2. He whose joy is perfected in death,
Alas! Who shall attain such bliss!

3. Happy is he whose happiness suffices him
In his joy, not he who in delight wandered.

4. How much pure gold of nobility was lost,
And how much silver corrupted minds!

5. How many gems caused harm to minds
And how many dignitaries by gold were ruined!

6. Wealth increases the thirst of the avaricious,
The more they gain, the more their hearts are inflamed.

7. They are like the one seeking rain, never sated,
Yearning, but never tasting the rain.

8. The poor sleep free of worries.
The wealthy spend their nights wakeful.

9. The more he counts, fearing loss,
He is broken, however much gained.

10. If he gains thousands, he seeks multiples.
If he gains but a penny, he seeks a dollar.

11. Sorrow is the home of the wealthy fearing
Poverty, while the poor may feel rich.

12. Leave me be, I do not lack
Food and clothes, enough to avoid harm.

13. How my silence protected me from hurt and offense!
Would that I were seldom mentioned!

14. A man's bane in life is fame.
Woe to him who amongst people became renowned!

15. If I attained the zenith of my hopes,
Why should I aspire to lofty Saturn?

16. If I gained enough for subsistence,
Why should I long for pearls and take risks?

17. If rain sates the thirst of the oppressor,
What care I if it pours or is sparse?

18. If pearls are prized and proudly displayed,
The pearl of contentment to me is nobler.

19. Asceticism relieved me of terrible worries,
Life's ease or travail are equal to me.

20. My asceticism makes both states equal to me
If what I own is little, or if it is much.

21. I found no peace or joy in my soul
Until I shrugged off the world from my shoulders.

22. I lost all life's concerns since I lost
My white and yellow idols, money.

23. I desire no pleasant life in this time,
Though pure, for I know its bitterness.

24. How can I hope for safety when life
Is war on earth, leaving naught, sparing naught?

25. Time attacks with an army with no armor,
Where blacks and whites have no sway.

26. It wreaks havoc on all souls, sparing
No leopard or black lion.

27. I'm weary of my life, no plain or mountain
Is sweet to me, neither East nor West.

28. I traversed both, pure and turbid waters,
The same to me, be they sweet or bitter.

29. My life passed, unrepeatable days and nights.
Life disappoints, and so will the future.

30. Let no false splendor entice you like wine,
Be cautious, for fate hastens misfortune.

31. Ignore this time, trust it not,
It has betrayed many oaths and covenants.

32. The temper of time is a promise without fidelity.
How many it seduced, and betrayed those trusting!

33. The clouds of sorrow threaten by nature.
If lightning strikes, expect no rain.

34. Not every fresh branch bears blossoms,
Nor every flower yields fruit.

35. Why rush to hoard like a covetous miser?
Pause, and ask the nomad and the town dweller.

36. You attempt to counter injustice?
Vainly, like the writhing of a slain snake.

37. Evil the profits, if for one coin,
You gain a load of sin. How many a usurer

38. Will not be tested by base desire!
There is no ordainment nor fate.

39. If you wish to rise high, be truthful,
Beware arrogance, grudges and rancor.

40. Honor one seeking help, aid him.
Incline toward him, show him no contempt.

41. Guide the stray, exert utmost effort.
If he recoils, gently draw him back.

42. Overlook the fool's lack through forgiveness,
Reproach him not. Best of men are those who pardon.

43. Beware your enemies: vile worldly life,
Satan, and the flesh; accept no excuse.

44. This foe you fear, if he professes friendship,
You know his friendship is deception and fraud.

45. I struggle against my fleshly desires.
If I fight him he rebels; if I befriend him he triumphs.

46. I show him patience though he disobeys me,
As if he shows me only filial devotion!

47. I spent my life and hours and never won
A soul that attained triumph.

48. My soul is like the sun, he is my moon,
And the sun should not overtake the moon!

49. If clouds saw me they would not gather,
Nor flowers bloom, nor dawn spread its light.

50. I mounted my steed faster than my tribe in sins,
Jesus the prophet fled me for my shocking sins.

51. I fear my own fleshly nature in its rebelliousness,
Though sheep may dread lions and leopards.

52. Your most hostile foe is your flesh you inhabit.
Would that this crumbling wall had never been erected!

53. When will I be freed from my body's prison
That made the soul's life captive?

54. So the soul may frolic in the world of its own
And attain success, bounty and redemption.