إِذا حاجَةٌ وَلَّتكَ لَيسَ تَسطيعُها

فَخُذ طَرَفاً مِن حاجَةٍ لَيسَ تُسبَقُ

If a need turns you away, beyond your reach,

Then take a part of a need none can forestall.

فَذَلِكَ أَحرى أَن تَنالَ جَسيمَها

وَلَلقَصدُ أَبقى في الأُمورِ وَأَرفَقُ

So you're more likely to attain its sum,

While purpose lasts, gentler in all affairs.