عرفت الرجال وجربّتهم

ومعرفة المرء في خبرتِهْ

I have known men and tried them,

And one's knowledge is in his experience.

فإن كنت عن حالهم سائلاً

فكلٌّ يميل إلى شهوتِهْ

If you ask about their situation,

Each one leans towards his desires.

فلله درّ فتىً عاقلٍ

يدور مع الوقت في دورته

Bless the wise young man,

Who goes with time in its cycle,

يجاري بنيه بلطفٍ كما

يداري الزمان على فترته

Who gently guides his sons,

As he endures time in its intervals.

ويلبس للصبر أثوابه

كما يتجرّع من غصّته

Who wears the clothes of patience,

As he swallows his anguish,

ويطرب عند سماع الغنا

ويرقص للقرد في دولته

Who is delighted when hearing singing,

And dances when fortune smiles on monkeys.