تطلّبت أقدار الرجال ولم تكن

تطلّبت أقدار الرجال ولم تكن

بذي أدب لا صانك اللَه من غرّ

بذي أدب لا صانك اللَه من غرّ

You sought the stature of men, though you were not

The fates of men have required, yet you were not

a man of refinement—may God not protect you from deception!

Of good manners, may God protect you from conceit

أتحسب أن المجد سهلٌ طلابه

أتحسب أن المجد سهلٌ طلابه

فتطلبه باللؤم ويلك والكبر

فتطلبه باللؤم ويلك والكبر

Do you think the pursuit of glory is easy,

Do you reckon glory is easily sought

that you seek it through baseness—woe to you—and arrogance?

That you seek it through meanness; woe to you and arrogance