1. إِذا قَلَّ مالُ المَرءِ قَلَّ صَديقُهُ

    وَضاقَت بِهِ عَمّا يُريدُ طَريقُهُ

    When a man's wealth dwindles, his friends grow few.

    And his path narrows, keeping him from what he desires.

  2. وَقَصَّرَ طَرفُ العَينِ عَنهُ كَلالَةً

    وَأَسرَعَ فيما لا يُحِبُّ شَقيقُهُ

    And the eye's gaze draws back from him in weariness.

    And his own brother hastens to do what he dislikes.

  3. وَذَمَّ إِلَيهِ خِدنُهُ طَعمَ عودِهِ

    وَقَد كانَ يَستَحليهِ حينَ يَذوقُهُ

    And his close friend disparages the taste of his wood to him,

    Though he used to find it sweet when he tasted it.