عَلَيكَ بِظِلفِ نَفسِكَ عَن هَواها

فَما شَيءٌ أَلَذّ مِنَ الصَلاحِ

Deny your soul its passions and desires

For nothing is sweeter than righteousness

تَأَهَّب لِلمَنِيَّةِ حينَ تَغدو

كَأَنَّكَ لا تَعيشُ إِلى الرَواحِ

Prepare for death each morning

As though you won’t live to see the evening

فَكَم مِن رائِحٍ فينا صَحيحٍ

نَعَتهُ نُعاتُهُ قَبلَ الصَباحِ

How many in health at dawn

Were mourned by dusk

وَبادِر بِالإِنابَةِ قَبلَ مَوتٍ

عَلى ما فيكَ مِن عِظَمِ الجُناحِ

Repent before death

For how grave are your sins

وَلَيسَ أَخو الرَزانَةِ مَن تَجافى

وَلَكِن مَن تَشَمَّرَ لِلفَلاحِ

Not he who flees hardship is wise

But he who toils for success