كُنْ ناسِكاً تَبَتَّلا

أو رائِساً تَبجَّلا

Be an ascetic, humble yourself

Or a leader, earn esteem

وعَدِّ عَنْ مُحَمَّقٍ

قَصَّرَ عَنْ أَنْ تَنْبُلا

Disregard the fool

Who falls short of nobility

يَصُدُّهُ قُعُودُهُ

وعَجْزُهُ عَنِ العُلَى

Held back by his sitting

And inability to rise