ما مِن صَديقٍ وَإِن تَمَّت صَداقَتُهُ

ما مِن صَديقٍ وَإِن تَمَّت صَداقَتُهُ

يَوماً بِأَنجَحَ في الحاجاتِ مِن طَبَقِ

يَوماً بِأَنجَحَ في الحاجاتِ مِن طَبَقِ

No friend, however perfect his friendship,

No friend, though staunch his friendship be

Is ever more successful in meeting needs than a platter.

Successfully serves our needs as one

إِذا تَعَمَّمَ بِالمِنديلِ مُنطلِقاً

إِذا تَعَمَّمَ بِالمِنديلِ مُنطلِقاً

لَم يَخشَ نَبوَةَ بَوّابٍ وَلا غَلَقِ

لَم يَخشَ نَبوَةَ بَوّابٍ وَلا غَلَقِ

When it sets out wearing a napkin as a turban,

Who wraps his face in a kerchief, free

It fears neither a doorkeeper's rebuff nor a lock.

To brave the porter's wrath and run;

لا يَكذِبَنَّ فَإِنَّ الناسَ مُذ خُلقوا

لا يَكذِبَنَّ فَإِنَّ الناسَ مُذ خُلقوا

لِرَغبَةٍ يُكرِمونَ الناسَ أَو فَرَقِ

لِرَغبَةٍ يُكرِمونَ الناسَ أَو فَرَقِ

Let no one lie: people, ever since they were created,

For men were made, since first they drew breath,

Have honored people out of desire or fear.

To serve self-interest or fear of death.