1. زيادةُ المالِ بابُ الهمُّ والتعبِ

    فكلَّما زدت مالا زدت في السَّبب

    Increasing wealth is a gateway to worry and toil.

    So whenever you gain more wealth, you add to their cause.

  2. فالنفسُ تزداد فقرا بالغنى أبداً

    كمُطْفِىء النارِ عندَ الوهْج بالحطب

    For the soul grows ever poorer through wealth,

    like one quenching a blazing fire with firewood.

  3. لو أقنع المرءَ من دنياه منزلةٌ

    ينالُها كان معذورا على الطلب

    If a man were satisfied with a station in his worldly life

    that he could attain, he would be excused for seeking it.

  4. لكنْ إذا حَصَّلتْ آمالُه أَرَبا

    رَقَى به أملٌ ثانٍ إلى أَرب

    But when his hopes attain a goal,

    a second hope carries him upward toward another goal.