لأَكلُ الشَعيرِ وَاقتناءُ المَعارِفِ

أَلذُّ مِن السَلوى وَلِبسِ المَطارِفِ

Eating barley and acquiring knowledge

Is sweeter than desserts and fine garments.

وَإِنّي لمُستغنِ بعلمٍ جَمَعتُهُ

وَهَيهاتَ ما يُغني تَليدي وَطارِفي

And I am self-sufficient with the knowledge I have amassed,

While my inherited fortune and finery are of no avail.