1. The shadow of the left upon Al-'Abbas is outstretched,
And his heart is forever bound with stinginess.
١. ظِلُّ اليَسارِ عَلى العَبّاسِ مَمدودُ
وَقَلبُهُ أَبَداً بِالبُخلِ مَعقودُ
2. Indeed, the generous one's hardship is hidden from you
Until you see him wealthy while he is impoverished.
٢. إِنَّ الكَريمَ لَتَخفى عَنكَ عُسرَتُهُ
حَتّى تَراهُ غَنِيّاً وَهوَ مَجهودُ
3. The miser has excuses for his wealth;
Blue eyes over it or sullen faces.
٣. وَلِلبَخيلِ عَلى أَموالِهِ عِلَلٌ
زُرقُ العُيونِ عَلَيها أَوجُهٌ سودُ
4. If you dislike giving little when you cannot
Afford more, then generosity will not be seen.
٤. إِذا تَكَرَّهتَ أَن تُعطي القَليلَ وَلَم
تَقدِر عَلى سَعَةٍ لَم يَظهَرِ الجودُ
5. Be hopeful with good you wish for as gifts, for no
Fruit is hoped for if the branch does not leaf.
٥. أَورِق بِخَيرٍ تُرَجّى لِلنَوالِ فَما
تُرجى الثِمارُ إِذا لَم يورِقِ العودُ
6. Give away gifts and do not let their paucity stop you,
For all that fills a gap of need is praiseworthy.
٦. بُثَّ النَوالَ وَلا تَمنَعكَ قِلَّتُهُ
فَكُلُّ ما سَدَّ فَقراً فَهوَ مَحمودُ