وَما الناسُ إِلّا صاحِباكَ فَمِنهُمُ

سَخِيٌّ وَمَغلولُ اليَدَينِ مِنَ البُخلِ

People are but your two companions, so of them is

One who is generous and one who is miserly.

فَسامِح يَداً ما أَمكَنَتكَ فَإِنَّها

تُقِلُّ وَتُثري وَالعَواذِلُ في شُغل

So be lenient with the hand that gives you what it can, for it

Gives little at times and gives plenty at others, while the wretched are busy with their concerns.