غِنى النَفسِ يَكفي النَفسَ حَتّى يَكُفَّها

غِنى النَفسِ يَكفي النَفسَ حَتّى يَكُفَّها

وَإِن أَعسَرَت حَتّى يَضُرُّ بِها الفُقرُ

وَإِن أَعسَرَت حَتّى يَضُرُّ بِها الفُقرُ

The soul’s wealth suffices the soul, keeping it in check,

The wealth of the soul suffices to restrain the soul,

Even if it falls on hard times to the point that poverty harms it.

Even if it falls on hard times until poverty inflicts its harm.

فَما عَسرةٌ فَاِصبِر لَها إِن لَقيتَها

فَما عَسرةٌ فَاِصبِر لَها إِن لَقيتَها

بِدائِمَةٍ حَتّى يَكونُ لَها يُسرُ

بِدائِمَةٍ حَتّى يَكونُ لَها يُسرُ

For no hardship—be patient with it if you encounter it—

For no hardship—so bear it with patience if you meet it—

Is everlasting; ease will eventually come to it.

Is everlasting, until ease eventually comes to take its place.

وَمَن لَم يُقاسِ الدَهرَ لَم يَعرِفِ الأَسى

وَمَن لَم يُقاسِ الدَهرَ لَم يَعرِفِ الأَسى

وَفي غِيَرِ الأَيّامِ ما وَعَد الدَهرُ

وَفي غِيَرِ الأَيّامِ ما وَعَد الدَهرُ

And whoever has not endured time has not known sorrow,

He who has not endured the trials of Time knows not true sorrow,

And in the days’ vicissitudes lies what time has promised.

And in the shifting of days lies what Time has promised.