فَرَرْتُ مِنَ الفَقْرِ الذي هُو مُدْرِكي

إِلى بُخْلِ مَحْظورِ النَّوال مَنُوعِ

I fled from poverty, which was overtaking me

To miserliness, forbidden and denied abundance

فَأَعْقَبَني الحِرمانُ غِبَّ مَطامِعي

كذلكَ مَن تَلْقاهُ غَير قَنوعِ

Then privation followed me, cutting off my hopes

Thus is one who meets other than contentment

وغيرُ بَديعٍ مَنْعُ ذِي البُخْلِ مالَهُ

كما بَذْلُ أَهْلِ الفَضْلِ غَيرُ بَديعِ

And not admirable is the miserliness of one who denies his wealth

As is the generosity of men of merit not admirable

إِذا أَنتَ كَشَّفْتَ الرِّجالَ وَجدتَهُمْ

لأعْرَاضِهِمْ مِن حافِظٍ ومُضيِّعِ

If you uncover men’s secrets you will find them

For their honor, protectors and squanderers