ظِلُّ اليَسارِ عَلى العَبّاسِ مَمدودُ

وَقَلبُهُ أَبَداً بِالبُخلِ مَعقودُ

The shadow of the left upon Al-'Abbas is outstretched,

And his heart is forever bound with stinginess.

إِنَّ الكَريمَ لَتَخفى عَنكَ عُسرَتُهُ

حَتّى تَراهُ غَنِيّاً وَهوَ مَجهودُ

Indeed, the generous one's hardship is hidden from you

Until you see him wealthy while he is impoverished.

وَلِلبَخيلِ عَلى أَموالِهِ عِلَلٌ

زُرقُ العُيونِ عَلَيها أَوجُهٌ سودُ

The miser has excuses for his wealth;

Blue eyes over it or sullen faces.

إِذا تَكَرَّهتَ أَن تُعطي القَليلَ وَلَم

تَقدِر عَلى سَعَةٍ لَم يَظهَرِ الجودُ

If you dislike giving little when you cannot

Afford more, then generosity will not be seen.

أَورِق بِخَيرٍ تُرَجّى لِلنَوالِ فَما

تُرجى الثِمارُ إِذا لَم يورِقِ العودُ

Be hopeful with good you wish for as gifts, for no

Fruit is hoped for if the branch does not leaf.

بُثَّ النَوالَ وَلا تَمنَعكَ قِلَّتُهُ

فَكُلُّ ما سَدَّ فَقراً فَهوَ مَحمودُ

Give away gifts and do not let their paucity stop you,

For all that fills a gap of need is praiseworthy.