قَد كُنتُ أَحذَرُ ما أَلقاهُ مِن نَكَدٍ

قَد كُنتُ أَحذَرُ ما أَلقاهُ مِن نَكَدٍ

لَو كانَ يَنفَعُني في مِثلِهِ الحَذَرُ

لَو كانَ يَنفَعُني في مِثلِهِ الحَذَرُ

I used to be wary of whatever hardship I might encounter,

I would have guarded against the hardship I face,

if caution could avail me in such a plight.

had caution been of use to me in such a plight.

يا نَفسُ صَبراً عَلى ما كانَ مِن ضَرَرٍ

يا نَفسُ صَبراً عَلى ما كانَ مِن ضَرَرٍ

فَرُبَّ مَنفَعَةٍ يَأتي بِها الضَرَرُ

فَرُبَّ مَنفَعَةٍ يَأتي بِها الضَرَرُ

O soul, patiently bear whatever harm has come to pass;

O my soul, bear patiently whatever harm has come,

for many a benefit is brought by harm.

for many a benefit is brought by harm.