ولربَّ محروم تلبد ماله

وله إلى ذقن تغل يدان

And perhaps a deprived one's wealth is concealed

Yet to his beard cling two greedy hands

مرض يصاب به الغنى فإنما

طلب الزيادة علة الحرمان

A disease that afflicts the wealthy, for it is

The desire for more that causes deprivation

ولرب مطعوم تبدد كسبه

لم يبق من يوم ليوم ثان

And perhaps one with plenty will see his earnings dissipate

Nothing remains from one day to the next

مرض يصاب به الفقير فإنما

سبب الخصاصة نهمة الإنسان

A disease that afflicts the poor, for it is

The cause of scarcity, man's endless greed

إثنان بينهما توسط قانعاً

إن التوسط راحة الأبدان

Between the two lies contentment

Moderation gives comfort to the body