هِيَ حالانِ شِدَّةٌ وَرَخاءُ

وَسِجالانِ نِعمَةٌ وَبلاءُ

There are two states, hardship and prosperity

Life is but two states: hardship and ease,

And two contests, blessing and tribulation

And alternating fortunes: blessing and tribulation.

وَالفَتى الحاذِقُ الأَريبُ إِذا ما

خانَهُ الدَهرُ لَم يَخُنهُ عَزاءُ

And the wise young man, if fate betrays him

The astute and sagacious man, whenever

His dignity will not betray him

Time betrays him, is not betrayed by his fortitude.

إِن أَلَمَّت مُلِمَّةٌ بي فَإِنّي

في المُلِمّاتِ صَخرَةٌ صَمّاءُ

If disaster befalls me, yet I am

If a calamity descends upon me, then truly I,

In disasters a deaf rock

Amidst calamities, am a solid, unyielding rock,

عالِمٌ بِالبَلاءِ عِلماً بَأَن لَي

سَ يَدومُ النَعيمُ وَالرَخاءُ

Knowing of affliction, I know that never

Well-versed in adversity, knowing with certainty

Does bliss and comfort last

That neither bliss nor prosperity shall endure.