لو كنتُ أجهلُ ما علمتُ لسَرَّني

جَهْلي كما قد ساءني ما أعلَمُ

Had I not known what I have learnt, my ignorance would have delighted me,

Just as what I know has saddened me.

كالصَّعْوِ يَرتَعُ في الرِّياضِ وإنّما

حُبسَ الهَزارُ لأنّه يتَرنَّم

Like a nightingale grazing in gardens -

Yet it is imprisoned because it sings.

مَنْ لي بعَيْشِ الأغبياء فإنّه

لا عيشَ إلاّ عيشُ مَن لا يَفْهَم

Who will grant me the life of fools? For the only life

Is the life of one who does not understand.