إنْ سُدتَ فينا ولم تقضِ حَوائجَنا

فأنت حينئذٍ من أكبرِ النّقَمِ

If you hold sway among us yet do not meet our needs,

then you are among the greatest of afflictions.

ما صَيَّرَ المرءَ في قومٍ أخا شرَفٍ

إِلّا اِنتِفاعٌ بِهِ في الجاهِ والكَرمِ

Nothing makes a man among his people a man of honor

except bestowing favors through influence and generosity.

مَنْ لَم يَكُن نافِعاً قَوماً تَقدَّمَهم

فَحَقُّه أَن يُرى في حَيِّزِ العَدمِ

If a man’s preeminence brings no benefit to his people,

his rightful place is to be counted in the realm of nonbeing.