1. رويداً إنما الأيامُ سفرُ

    إذا وفدٌ تولى جاءَ وفدُ

    Take it slowly: the days are but travelers;

    When one company departs, another arrives.

  2. كأنا في الجحيمِ من تفرى

    له جلدٌ تبدل منه جلدُ

    As though we were in Hell: whoever is flayed

    Has his skin replaced with another.

  3. أرى قوماً أعدوا ما استطاعوا

    لدهرهمُ وقوماً ما أعدوا

    I see people who have prepared all they could

    For their lives, and others who have made no provision.

  4. فلا يغررك من أحدٍ ودادٌ

    فليس لواحدٍ في الناس ودُّ

    So let no affection from anyone deceive you,

    For not one among mankind harbors affection.

  5. رموا شبكاتهمْ في كل ماءٍ

    فلو راموا السماءَ إذاً لجدوا

    They cast their nets in every water;

    And if they sought the sky, they would strive in earnest.