لِأَيِّ زَمانٍ يَخبَأُ المَرءُ نَفعَهُ

لِأَيِّ زَمانٍ يَخبَأُ المَرءُ نَفعَهُ

غَداً فَغَداً وَالدَهرُ غادٍ وَرائِحُ

غَداً فَغَداً وَالدَهرُ غادٍ وَرائِحُ

For what time does a man save the good he can do?

For what time does a man hide his usefulness

Tomorrow, then tomorrow—while time goes forth and returns.

Tomorrow and tomorrow while time is passing by

إِذا المَرءُ لَم يَنفَعكَ حَيّاً فَنَفعُهُ

إِذا المَرءُ لَم يَنفَعكَ حَيّاً فَنَفعُهُ

قَليلٌ إِذا رُصَّت عَلَيهِ الصَفائِحُ

قَليلٌ إِذا رُصَّت عَلَيهِ الصَفائِحُ

If a man does not benefit you while alive, his benefit

If a man does not benefit you while alive

is little once the stone slabs are laid tightly over him.

His benefit is little when shrouds are laid on him