1. Glory is inherited and earned
And raindrops on the ground are not like raindrops in the clouds

2. A young man is not noble just because he had noble fathers
Unless he himself is noble when his enemy is in dire straits

3. The one most deserving of glory is every young man
Who earns it himself and through his own glorious lineage

4. There are many shooting stars when you see them
But people only count the seven stars of Ursa Major

5. Neither did the Caliph al-Ma'mun ascend on the day he went up
To the heights of glory and nobility

6. Nor did the angels respond to him when he called
Through the grace of his mother or father

7. Rather, he saw that glory was sought, so he strove for it
And whoever knows the right way will not go astray

8. He strengthened knowledge, so people were honored through it
For there is no path to honor but through knowledge

9. The state of the sword, its pillars cannot be strengthened
Unless joined by the state of books

10. Whoever makes an effort succeeds, and the self, if it grows weary
Perhaps rest will come from the fatigue

11. Woe to him who lives in vain play and nonsense
For the death of glory is between play and nonsense

12. Did you not see the sun descending in Libra
When the mansion of the star of play and delight rose?