وقال الأحنفُ الرجلين قولا

رأى وجه الصواب به فقالا

The wise man spoke two sayings

That showed the face of right, so they were told:

يذم في الدنيا رجال

ولولا ما كانوا رجالا

"No man should be blamed in life

Had they not been men, stout and bold.

ومن أكل الطعام الشبع يوما

حراما كان ذلك أو حلالا

He who has eaten to his fill one day

Be that forbidden or be that food legally sold

وصح مزاجه من بعد ريّ

غنيا كان أو لم يحو مالا

If after that his health and temper be still right

Rich or poor or owning no gold

وقدّر أن يعفّ النفس خيرا

وألزمها رأى رأيا محالا

He who resolves to curb his soul's desires

And makes it keep that course, though hard to hold."