وإذا رأتْ عيناي عالي رتبةٍ

بلغ المعاليَ وَهْوَ غيرُ مهذبِ

When my eyes see someone of high rank

Reaching lofty positions though not refined,

قالت لي النفسُ العروفُ بفضلها

ما كان أولاني بهذا المنصبِ

My soul says to me, boasting of its nobility,

"How did such an undeserving one attain this station?"

فأقولُ يا نفسُ ارجعي وتأدَّبي

وثقي فما الحسدُ الذميمُ بمذهبي

So I say, "O soul, go back and learn good manners!

And have faith, for envy is not in my nature.

هي سُنَّةُ الدنيا فَكَمْ مِنْ فاضلٍ

في الخاملين وكم تُرفِّع مِنْ غبي

It is the way of the world - many a noble man

Is left behind, while many a fool is raised on high."