1. Life is short and fleeting, and living is troublesome
For truly, living is painful and causes distress

2. Whose stomach is constricted and rejects even breadcrumbs
A rich man finds comfort in drinking wine

3. While a poor man becomes distraught with only water
The essence of our life is just eating and drinking

4. Both the hungry and the full feel discomfort
Sustenance comes to beasts and birds without toil

5. While man's provision requires effort and labor
If existence was not meant for this

6. Morals and dignity would have been pointless
Is there really justice or perfection in creation?

7. When there is clearly injustice and imperfection
In a high burrow, an eagle makes its home

8. While a rat hides in a low tunnel
This existence is but confusion upon confusion

9. And this confusion cannot be unraveled or untied
We quarrel with each other over trivial things

10. While the graves wait patiently to confine us
At birth, there is condolence and tears

11. And at death, there is congratulation and dancing
So say: how worthless is man in essence and ethics

12. When the best of us is a dog obsessed with food
If not for weakness, the strong could not prevail

13. Feeding on the frail to satisfy their hunger
A flood begins as a mere raindrop

14. And a fire starts with just a spark
A man's worth when his money is gone

15. Is like the value of a bracelet without its gem
Deprivation comes only from protecting

16. Honor, yet the richest of men is a thief
How many dogs sleep on cushions,

17. While how many lions are leashed and caged
The outer appearance of this world is righteousness

18. But its essence is corruption that cannot be measured
It is like a doll that appears elegant

19. But is hollow plaster to one who peers inside
Do not be fooled by softness or beauty

20. For grace and adornment are just a veneer
I try to live in seclusion to live alone

21. But how to live alone when the world entraps you