1. طُرُقُ الغَيِّ سَهلَةٌ واسِعاتٌ

    وَطَريقُ الهُدى كَسُمِّ الخَيّاطِ

    The paths of error are easy and broad.

    And the path of right guidance is like a needle's eye.

  2. مَطلَعٌ شَقَّ لا تُكَلَّفُهُ الضَمُّ

    رُ إِلّا مَضروبَةً بِالسِياطِ

    An arduous ascent: lean mounts are not made to climb it

    except when beaten with whips.

  3. كَيفَ لي بِالسُهوبِ يَسلِكُها الرَك

    بُ حَياتي فيها بِقَطعِ النِياطِ

    How can I face the steppes that the caravan traverses?

    My life there would end with the severing of the heartstring.

  4. عارِياتٍ مِنَ النَباتِ وَلَكِن

    أُلبِسَت مِن سَرابِها كَالرِياطِ

    Bare of vegetation, yet

    clothed in their mirage as though in fine robes.