وَكُنتَ اِمرَءاً لَو شِئتَ أَن تَبلُغَ النَدى

وَكُنتَ اِمرَءاً لَو شِئتَ أَن تَبلُغَ النَدى

بَلَغتَ بِأَدنى نِعمَةٍ تَستَديمُها

بَلَغتَ بِأَدنى نِعمَةٍ تَستَديمُها

And you were a man who, had you wished to attain generosity,

You were a man who, had you wished to attain glory,

would have attained it with the slightest kindness you sustained.

Would have attained it through continued minimal favor.

وَلَكِن فِطامُ النَفسِ أَثقَلُ مَحمَلاً

وَلَكِن فِطامُ النَفسِ أَثقَلُ مَحمَلاً

مِنَ الصَخرَةِ الصَمّاءِ حينَ تَرومُها

مِنَ الصَخرَةِ الصَمّاءِ حينَ تَرومُها

And yet weaning the soul is heavier to bear

But weaning the soul is a heavier burden to bear

than a solid rock when you try to lift it.

Than a deaf rock when you attempt to move it.