إِن شِئْتَ أَنْ تَحْوِي الْمَعَالِيَ فَادَّرِعْ

إِن شِئْتَ أَنْ تَحْوِي الْمَعَالِيَ فَادَّرِعْ

صَبْراً فَإِنَّ الصَّبْرَ غُنْمٌ عَاجِلُ

صَبْراً فَإِنَّ الصَّبْرَ غُنْمٌ عَاجِلُ

If you wish to attain lofty honors, arm yourself

If you wish to attain the heights, then arm yourself with patience,

with patience, for patience is an immediate gain.

For patience is gain with immediacy.

وَاحْلُمْ كَأَنَّكَ جَاهِلٌ وَاذْكُرْ كَأنْ

وَاحْلُمْ كَأَنَّكَ جَاهِلٌ وَاذْكُرْ كَأنْ

نَكَ ذَاهِلٌ وَافْطُنْ كَأَنَّكَ غَافِلُ

نَكَ ذَاهِلٌ وَافْطُنْ كَأَنَّكَ غَافِلُ

And be forbearing as though ignorant, and remember as though

Be forbearing as if you are ignorant, and remember as if

you were absent-minded; and be discerning as though heedless.

You are forgetful, and be vigilant as if you are heedless.

فَلَقَلَّمَا يُفْضِي إِلَى آرَابِهِ

فَلَقَلَّمَا يُفْضِي إِلَى آرَابِهِ

فِي الدَّهْرِ إِلا الْعَالِمُ الْمُتَجَاهِلُ

فِي الدَّهْرِ إِلا الْعَالِمُ الْمُتَجَاهِلُ

For seldom does anyone reach his aims

Rarely in this world, except for the wise feigning ignorance,

in this world save the knowledgeable man who feigns ignorance.

Attains the heights to which he aspires.