اِسعَد بِمالِكَ في الحَياةِ فَإِنَّما

يَبقى خِلافكَ مُصلِحٌ أَو مُفسِدُ

Be content with what you own in life, for only

A reformer or corruptor will remain after you.

فَإِذا تركت لِمُفسِدٍ لَم يُبقِهِ

وَأَخو الصَلاحِ قَليلُهُ يَتَزَيَّدُ

So if you leave it to a corruptor, he will not preserve it,

And the reformer - his little will increase.

فَإِذا اِستَطَعتَ فَكُن لِنَفسِكَ وارِثاً

إِنَّ المُوَرِّثَ نَفسَهُ لَمُسَدَّدُ

So if you are able, be a benefactor to yourself,

For one who makes himself an heir is truly guided.