وَقالَ رِجالٌ لَو تَعَرَّضتَ لِلغِنى

وَقالَ رِجالٌ لَو تَعَرَّضتَ لِلغِنى

سَبيلاً فَإِنَّ المَرءَ مِثلَكَ ذو وَفرِ

سَبيلاً فَإِنَّ المَرءَ مِثلَكَ ذو وَفرِ

And men said, “If only you would seek wealth

A man once said to me, if you but sought the path

By some path—for a man like you has abundant means.”

To riches, one like you would prosper and fare well.

قَنِعتُ فَنالَتني مِنَ العَيشِ بُلغَةٌ

قَنِعتُ فَنالَتني مِنَ العَيشِ بُلغَةٌ

وَأَكرَهُ أَن آبى القُنوعَ وَلا أَكرى

وَأَكرَهُ أَن آبى القُنوعَ وَلا أَكرى

I was content, and enough to live on came to me;

I said, “I’m satisfied,” and so my life has been enough;

And I dislike rejecting contentment without growing richer.

I hate to ever spurn contentment or repel.