يَقولونَ إِنَّ الكُتْبَ عِندَكَ جمّةٌ

يَقولونَ إِنَّ الكُتْبَ عِندَكَ جمّةٌ

فَما لَكَ في العِرفانِ شَخصٌ يماثِلُ

فَما لَكَ في العِرفانِ شَخصٌ يماثِلُ

They say, “The books in your keeping are abundant;

They say, “You have a great many books,

and in knowledge you have no peer to equal you.”

so you have no equal in knowledge.”

فَقلت حِمارُ الكتبِ مِثلي بِحملِها

فَقلت حِمارُ الكتبِ مِثلي بِحملِها

وَرُبَّ سِلاحٍ عندَ مَنْ لا يُقاتِلُ

وَرُبَّ سِلاحٍ عندَ مَنْ لا يُقاتِلُ

I said, “A donkey laden with books is just like me in bearing them;

I replied, “A book-laden donkey is like me in carrying them,

and many a weapon rests with one who never fights with it.”

and many a weapon is held by one who does not fight.”