بُنيَّ إياكَ ونظمَ الشعرِ

بُنيَّ إياكَ ونظمَ الشعرِ

فإنهُ بالعلماءِ يُزري

فإنهُ بالعلماءِ يُزري

My dear son, beware of composing poetry,

My son, beware of composing poetry,

For it demeans scholars.

For with scholars it is scorned.

واللهِ لولا شهرتي وذكري

واللهِ لولا شهرتي وذكري

بالعلمِ كان الشعرُ حطُّ قدري

بالعلمِ كان الشعرُ حطُّ قدري

By God, were it not for my fame and renown

By God, were it not for my fame and renown

In learning, poetry would have lowered my standing.

For knowledge, poetry would demean my worth.