كم جاهل نال مالاً بعد متربة

كم جاهل نال مالاً بعد متربة

فكان منه له بالإثم إغراءُ

فكان منه له بالإثم إغراءُ

How many a fool has gained wealth after destitution,

How many an ignorant man has gained wealth after destitution,

and from it found himself enticed into sin.

and from it came an enticement for him to sin!

فما تجلت له الدنيا بزينتها

فما تجلت له الدنيا بزينتها

إلا كما تنجلي للبغي حسناءُ

إلا كما تنجلي للبغي حسناءُ

The world unveiled herself to him in all her finery

The world did not reveal itself to him in its finery

only as a beauty unveils herself for wantonness.

except as a beautiful woman unveils herself for fornication.