لا تَضَعِ المَعروفَ في ساقِطٍ

فَذاكَ صِنعُ ساقِطٍ ضائِعُ

Do not bestow a favor upon the base,

For that is a lowly deed, entirely wasted;

وَضعَهُ في حُرٍّ كَريمٍ يَكُن

عُرفكَ مِسكاً عُرفَهُ ضائِعُ

Place it rather within a free and noble soul,

And your favor shall be as musk, its fragrance diffusing.