وَقائِلٍ لَيسَت لَهُ هِمَّةٌ

كَلّا وَلَكِن ما لَهُ مالُ

The man without ambition says,

"No, it's just that I have no money."

وَهِمَّةُ المُقتِرِ أُمنِيَّةٌ

عَونٌ عَلى الدَهرِ وَإِشغالُ

But a poor man's ambition is merely a wish;

Help against fate and distraction.

لا حِدَّةٌ تَنهَضُ في عَزمِها

وَالناسُ سُؤّالٌ وَبُخّالٌ

No firm resolve arises in him

When people are so demanding and stingy.

فَاِصبِر مَعَ الدَهرِ إِلى دَولَةٍ

تَحمِلُ فيها حالِكَ الحالُ

So be patient with fate until there comes

A time that makes your state tolerable.