دُنياكَ هَذي مَنامٌ إِن جَزى حُلُمٌ

فيها بِشَرٍّ فَأَمِّل غِبطَةَ الحُلُمِ

This world of yours is but a dream; if patience is rewarded in it

Then hope for the bliss of patience

فَقَد يَرى أَنَّهُ باكٍ حَليفُ كَرىً

فَيَستَجِدُّ سُروراً فاقِدَ الأَلَمِ

For he may see that he who weeps is a bosom friend of disdain

And so he seeks joy, having lost pain

فَاِضرِب وَليدَكَ وَاِدلُلهُ عَى رَشَدٍ

وَلا تَقُل هُوَ طِفلٌ غَيرُ مُحتَلِمِ

So correct your son and guide him to righteousness

And say not “He is but a child, not yet mature”

وَرُبَّ شَقٍّ بِرَأسٍ جَرَّ مَنفَعَةً

وَقِس عَلى نَفعِ شَقِّ الرَأسِ اي القَلَمِ

And many a cleft head has drawn benefit

And judge by the benefit of the cleft, that is the pen