إذا ما اجتهادُ المَرْءِ لم يكُ نافِعاً

بشَيءٍ فترْكُ الاجتهاد من الحزْمِ

If a man's effort avails him naught

In aught, to cease from effort is the wiser part;

وراحَةُ منْ لم يستفدْ بعَنائهِ

مُراداً منَ الأيام أوْلى من الهَمِّ

And ease for him who gains no profit from his pain

Is better than the toil that brings but stress of brain.

وما وقْعُ أطرافِ الأسِنَّة والظُّبى

بأوجعَ من تقديم جهلٍ على عِلْمِ

What falls from tongues and traces left by writing-reeds

Hurt less than folly uttered where is call for rede.

فلا تعْتَبنَّ الدهر حُرّاً رأيْتَهُ

حَرون السَّجايا إِنْ رأى سائق الظُّلم

Then chide not Fortune turning free, if her thou see

Hot brands the hides of men, blind driver of the night.