1. أَلا قاطِعوا الدُنيا فقد واصَلَت أَذى

    بَنِيها وآلَت أَنَّها ليسَ تُحسِنُ

    Behold, break with the world, for it has persisted in harming

    Its children, and has sworn that it will do no good.

  2. فمَن يَرجُ أَمناً من مَكايِدِ حربها

    يَكُن كالذي يرجو لما ليسَ يُمكِنُ

    So whoever hopes for safety from the stratagems of its war

    Will be like one who hopes for what is impossible.

  3. فبَينا تَرَى نَعماءَها قد تحرَّكت

    تُعاضُ ببؤسٍ ثمَّ في الحينِ تَسكُنُ

    For just as you see its prosperity begin to stir,

    It is replaced by misery, then at once falls still.