إذا لم يكن عقل الفتى عاقلا له

إذا لم يكن عقل الفتى عاقلا له

على معقل التقوى فلا حبذا عقل

على معقل التقوى فلا حبذا عقل

If a young man's reason does not hold him fast

If a young man's mind is not wise for him

at the stronghold of piety, then unwelcome is such reason.

To take refuge in piety, his mind is of no value

نهاك الذى ينهاك عن كل هفوة

نهاك الذى ينهاك عن كل هفوة

وحجرك ما يحجرك ان وثب الجهل

وحجرك ما يحجرك ان وثب الجهل

Your intellect is what restrains you from every lapse,

He who prevents you from every slip

and your understanding is what reins you in if ignorance leaps up.

And holds you back when ignorance leaps

وهل يتصف بالعقل الا مهذب

وهل يتصف بالعقل الا مهذب

أخو ثقة ينهى الى قوله الفصل

أخو ثقة ينهى الى قوله الفصل

And who is endowed with reason but a refined man—

And who can be described as wise except one who is cultivated

a trustworthy man, to whose word judgment is referred,

A trusted brother whose word is decisive

تقى له فى كل علم بصيرة

تقى له فى كل علم بصيرة

لها من لطيفات الحقائق ما يحلو

لها من لطيفات الحقائق ما يحلو

pious, with insight into every field of knowledge,

Piety gives him insight into every knowledge

for which the subtleties of truth hold delight?

With subtle truths that delight