يُغَطّي عُيوبَ المَرءِ كَثرَةُ مالِهِ
يُصَدَّقُ فيما قالَ وَهوَ كَذوبُ
A man's wealth covers his flaws.
Abundance of wealth conceals a man's defects,
He is believed when he speaks falsely.
He is believed in what he says, though he is a liar.
وَيُرزي بِعقلِ المَرءِ قِلَّةُ مالِهِ
يُحَمِّقُهُ الأَقوامُ وَهوَ لَبيبُ
A man's lack of money reveals his intellect.
While a lack of wealth undermines a man's intellect,
People think him a fool, yet he is wise.
People deem him a fool, though he is wise.
