1. كُن صاحِبَ الخَيرِ تَنويهِ وَتَفعَلُهُ

    مَعَ الأَنامِ عَلى أَن لايَدينوكا

    Be a doer of good, intending it and doing it

    Among humankind, even if they do not repay you.

  2. إِذا طَلَبتَ نَداهُم صِرتَ ضِدَّهُمُ

    وَإِن تُرِد مِنهُمُ عِزّاً يُهينوكا

    If you seek their bounty, you become their adversary;

    And if you desire honor from them, they humiliate you.

  3. فَعِش بِنَفسِكَ فَالإِخوانُ أَكثَرُهُم

    إِلّا يَشينوكَ يَوماً لا يَزينوكا

    So live on your own, for most friends,

    If they do not disgrace you one day, do not adorn you.

  4. وَكَم أَعانَكَ ناسٌ ما اِستَعَنتَ بِهِم

    أَو اِستَعَنتَ بِقَومٍ لَم يُعينوكا

    And how often people have helped you without your seeking their help,

    Or you sought help from people who did not help you.