وكل أديب له آلة

وكل أديب له آلة

وهديٌ يدلّ على همّته

وهديٌ يدلّ على همّته

And every man of letters has a tool,

And every writer has a style

And a bearing that reveals his ambition.

And guidance that shows his ambition

وما المرء إلا بإخوانه

وما المرء إلا بإخوانه

وإن كان يعبط في نعمته

وإن كان يعبط في نعمته

A man is nothing without his brothers,

And a man is nothing without his brethren

Even if he is envied for his prosperity.

Though he may revel in his bounty

ولم أر مثل فتى عاقل

ولم أر مثل فتى عاقل

يداري الأمور على فطنته

يداري الأمور على فطنته

I have never seen the like of a wise young man

And I've never seen a wise youth

Who handles affairs tactfully with his discernment,

Who handles affairs with his wit

فيحزي الصديق بإحسانه

فيحزي الصديق بإحسانه

ويجزي العدو على غفلته

ويجزي العدو على غفلته

Rewarding his friend for his kindness,

Rewarding his friend with kindness

And repaying his enemy when he is off guard,

And repaying his enemy's neglect

ويلبس للدهر أثوابه

ويلبس للدهر أثوابه

ويسجد للقرد في دولته

ويسجد للقرد في دولته

And donning the garments of the age,

Donning the garb of fate

And prostrating himself before the monkey while it rules.

And bowing to the ape in its glory