1. كُن صاحِبَ الخَيرِ تَنويهِ وَتَفعَلُهُ

    مَعَ الأَنامِ عَلى أَن لايَدينوكا

    Be devoted to goodness, intending it and doing it

    With humankind, on the understanding that they will 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 seek honor from them, they humiliate you.

  3. فَعِش بِنَفسِكَ فَالإِخوانُ أَكثَرُهُم

    إِلّا يَشينوكَ يَوماً لا يَزينوكا

    So live on your own, for most of your brethren,

    If they do not disgrace you one day, will bring you no honor.

  4. وَكَم أَعانَكَ ناسٌ ما اِستَعَنتَ بِهِم

    أَو اِستَعَنتَ بِقَومٍ لَم يُعينوكا

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

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