1. دعوا للحُمَيّا ما استباحتْه من عَقْلي

    فإِني رأَيت الحظّ في حيّز الجهل

    Leave to strong wine what it has seized of my reason.

    For I have seen fortune in the realm of ignorance.

  2. وما زالت الأَيام يجري نظامُها

    على العكس حتى أُدْرِكَ الجِدُّ بالهزل

    And the days have never ceased to run their course

    In reverse, until earnestness was attained through jest.

  3. وهل في فؤادي فَضلةٌ تَسَعُ الهوى

    وما العِشق إِلاّ شُغْل قلبٍ بلا شغل

    And is there any room left in my heart to hold passion?

    And love is nothing but the occupation of an unoccupied heart.

  4. إِذا أَنت لم يصحبك إِلاّ مُهذَّبٌ

    فخِلُّكَ من أَمسى وحيداً بلا خِلِّ

    If none but a refined man keeps you company,

    Then your friend is one who has become solitary, without a friend.

  5. فَدَعْ لذوي الأَموال ما اغتبطوا به

    وَصُنْ ثمراتِ الفضل بُخْلاً على الفضل

    So leave to the wealthy what they rejoice in,

    And guard the fruits of excellence, out of jealous care for excellence.

  6. فإِنّ الفتى من غادرتْه خلالُه

    فريداً وإِنْ أَضحى من الناس في حَفْل

    For the young man is he whose virtues have left him

    Alone, even if he finds himself amid a throng of people.