يفوقهمُ لأنَّ الجهلَ فيهم

وجهلُ المرء يكفيه الملاما

They surpass them, for ignorance is in them,

And a man's ignorance is enough to blame him.

فربَّ لئامِ قومٍ قد تسامَوْا

بلؤمٍ عند ألأمهم كراما

So the blame of an ignoble people, they have excelled,

With vileness, in the eyes of their kind, honorable.

ومن يكُ للسوابقِ في رهانٍ

وراءَ يكنْ لِسِكِّيتٍ أَماما

And whoever contends for the foremost place,

Behind, will be for keeping silent, ahead.