يلام أخو عدْمٍ بدون جريرةٍ

يلام أخو عدْمٍ بدون جريرةٍ

وذو المالِ حتى بالجريرة يُمدحُ

وذو المالِ حتى بالجريرة يُمدحُ

A poor man is blamed without wrongdoing,

A poor man without sin is blamed,

And a wealthy man is praised even for wrongdoing.

While the rich man is praised even for his sins.

وكم من كريمٍ عاش ضنْكا و فاجرٍ

وكم من كريمٍ عاش ضنْكا و فاجرٍ

إليه يميل المال شوقا و يجنح

إليه يميل المال شوقا و يجنح

And how many a generous man lived in hardship, and a wicked man

How many noble men lived in poverty while the corrupt

Toward whom wealth leans with longing and inclines!

Are inclined by money towards them, seeking and leaning.

وكم من لبيبٍ كان ناصحَ نفسِهِ

وكم من لبيبٍ كان ناصحَ نفسِهِ

وأحمقَ لا يصغي لمن هُو يَنصحُ

وأحمقَ لا يصغي لمن هُو يَنصحُ

And how many a discerning man was his own adviser,

How many wise men advised themselves,

And a fool will not listen to one who offers counsel!

While the foolish don't listen to the advice.

وكم من شريفٍ عنده الحظ عاثرٌ

وكم من شريفٍ عنده الحظ عاثرٌ

و ذي خسَّةٍ ما زال بالحظ ينجحُ

و ذي خسَّةٍ ما زال بالحظ ينجحُ

And how many an honorable man has stumbling luck,

How many honourable men have been let down by fate,

And a base man keeps succeeding through luck!

While the despised continually succeeds.

وكم طالح في ظننا ليس طالحا

وكم طالح في ظننا ليس طالحا

وكم صالح قلنا له لستَ تصلحُ

وكم صالح قلنا له لستَ تصلحُ

And how many a bad man is not bad in our eyes,

How many are considered good but aren't,

And how many a good man we told, 'You are no good.'

And how many we say are no good but are.

و ذي بطنة قد نام وهْو براحة

و ذي بطنة قد نام وهْو براحة

و أمعاء جارَيْه من الجوع تنبحُ

و أمعاء جارَيْه من الجوع تنبحُ

And a full-bellied man has already fallen asleep at ease,

The glutton sleeps contently

While his two neighbors' bowels bark from hunger.

While his neighbor's gut barks with hunger.