عمر الفتى يقصر ما طالا

عمر الفتى يقصر ما طالا

وعزمه ينقص ما صالا

وعزمه ينقص ما صالا

A young man's life grows shorter, however long it lasts;

A young man's life, however long, is brief

and his resolve wanes, however fiercely he charges.

And his resolve, however firm, is weak

وربما قال بأمهاله

وربما قال بأمهاله

ويومه كذب ما قالا

ويومه كذب ما قالا

And he may speak of being granted a respite,

Perchance he says he'll do thus and so

while his day belies what he said.

But time belies what vows he'd speak

فلا تغرنك هذي الدنا

فلا تغرنك هذي الدنا

فلم تُدم من حالها حالا

فلم تُدم من حالها حالا

So let not this world deceive you,

So let not this life deceive or cheat

for it has never kept any of its states unchanged.

For none of its states will last

وخل ما يلهيك من مالها

وخل ما يلهيك من مالها

فأنه كالظل ما مالا

فأنه كالظل ما مالا

And leave aside whatever of its wealth distracts you,

Leave what distracts you of its wealth

for it is like a shifting shadow.

For it's like a shadow, none outlasts

وكل ما نوليكه زائل

وكل ما نوليكه زائل

والعيش ان دام وما زالا

والعيش ان دام وما زالا

And all that we bestow on you is fleeting,

All we're given is bound to go

and so is life, even if it lasts and has not ceased.

And life, however long, won't eternal flow

وعش بميسور فأكدى الورى

وعش بميسور فأكدى الورى

من صحب الآمال والمالا

من صحب الآمال والمالا

And live within your means, for the poorest of people

Live with ease, most sage choice to make

is he who keeps company with hopes and wealth.

Not chasing dreams or money's fake

فحاجة الأنسان ما اعتاضه

فحاجة الأنسان ما اعتاضه

من ملبس أو مأكل نالا

من ملبس أو مأكل نالا

For a person's need is what he obtains in exchange:

Man only needs what clothes and food

clothing or food he has acquired,

Or tools that make his works good

أو نائل يصلح اعماله

أو نائل يصلح اعماله

فربما قد ساء أعمالا

فربما قد ساء أعمالا

or a gift that sets his deeds right,

More than this, we're laden ever

for he may indeed have done ill deeds.

With burdens heavy, ceasing never

وغير هذا فعنا دائم

وغير هذا فعنا دائم

صاحبه يحمل أثقالا

صاحبه يحمل أثقالا

And anything beyond this is lasting toil;

its possessor bears heavy burdens.