ما اِزددت في أَدَبي حَرفاً أُسَرَّ بِهِ

ما اِزددت في أَدَبي حَرفاً أُسَرَّ بِهِ

إِلّا تزيدت حَرفاً تَحتَه شومُ

إِلّا تزيدت حَرفاً تَحتَه شومُ

I have never added to my learning a letter that gladdens me

I did not increase my knowledge by a single letter

I have not added a single letter to my learning that brings me joy,

Without adding a letter beneath which lies ill fortune.

Without adding below it an ill-omened letter.

Without adding a letter beneath which lies misfortune.

كَفاكَ من يَدّعي حِذقاً بصنعنه

كَفاكَ من يَدّعي حِذقاً بصنعنه

أَنّى تَوجَّه فيها فَهوَ مَحروم

أَنّى تَوجَّه فيها فَهوَ مَحروم

One who claims skill in his craft is example enough for you:

It is enough that one claims skill in his making

It suffices you regarding one who claims mastery in his craft,

Wherever he turns within it, he remains deprived.

In whichever direction he turns in it, he is deprived.

That wherever he turns within it, he remains deprived.