الدَهرُ يَخنُقُ أَحياناً قِلادَتَهُ

عَلَيكَ لا تَضطَرِب فيهِ وَلا تَثِبِ

Sometimes fate squeezes its necklace

Time sometimes tightens its necklace,

Don't be troubled or jump about in it

So do not thrash within it, nor leap in panic,

حَتّى يُفَرِّجُها في حالِ مُدَّتِها

فَقَد يَزيدُ اِختِناقاً كُلُّ مُضطَرِبِ

Until it loosens in its own time

Until it loosens the hold in its own due course,

For every troubled one tightens the noose

For indeed, he who struggles only chokes the more.