1. خليليَ طِبْ على الأيَّامِ حالَا

    وَإِنْ غَثَّ الحَسُودُ لكَ الْمَقَالَا

    My friend, be of good cheer through the days,

    even if the envious man offers you vile words.

  2. فما بينَ الثَّرى والأُفْقِ مَدٌّ

    يَشُقُّ لغيرِ مَنْ رامُوا مَنَالَا

    For between the earth and the horizon lies a span

    arduous for all but those who seek attainment.

  3. وماذا في يدِ الْحُسَّادِ إلَّا

    مغارِزَ لَمْ تَكُنْ إلاَّ ضَلالَا؟!

    And what do the envious hold in their hands but

    barbs that have been nothing but delusion?!

  4. فما تُدْمِي مغارزُهُمْ دِمَاءً

    لِمَنْ أَلِفَ المَكارِهَ والنِّضَالَا

    For their barbs draw no blood

    from one accustomed to hardships and struggle.

  5. وما تُجْدِي معاوِلُهُمْ لِهَدْمٍ

    وإِنْ هَدُّوا بها يوماً جبالَا!

    And their pickaxes are of no use for demolition,

    even if they once brought down mountains with them!

  6. فلا ترجو ثناءً مِنْ حَقُودٍ

    يَشُقُّ عليهِ أَنْ يَصِفَ الْجَمَالَا!

    So expect no praise from a spiteful man

    who finds it hard to describe beauty!

  7. (ومَنْ يَكُ ذَا فَمٍ مُرٍّ، مريضٍ

    يَجِدْ مُرّاً بِهِ الْمَاءَ الزُّلَالَا)

    (And whoever has a bitter, ailing mouth

    finds clear, sweet water bitter in it.)

  8. مُحَالٌ أَنْ يَرَى إشراقَ فَجْرٍ

    جمالاً رائِقاً في الأرضِ سَالَا!

    He cannot see the radiance of dawn

    as limpid beauty flowing across the earth!

  9. ولا يَلْقَى الْهَنَاءَةَ حينَ يَلْقَى

    سَخِيّاً طَابَ حِلْماً واعتدالا!

    Nor does he find happiness when he meets

    a generous man, admirable in forbearance and moderation!

  10. تعوَّدَ أَنْ يُسبِّخَ فوقَ أرضٍ

    وتلكَ مَزِيَّةُ الْأَدْنَى احْتِمَالَا!

    He has grown used to dozing on the ground,

    and that is the distinction of the least enduring!

  11. وما لعلاجِ جِسْمٍ مِنْ دواءٍ

    إذا اسْتِشْفَاؤُهُ أضحى مُحَالَا

    And there is no medicine to treat a body

    when its recovery has become impossible.

  12. فَدَعْ أَمْرَ الشَّنَاءَةِ مِنْ حَقُودٍ

    فما يُدْنِي الْأَصَاغِرَ مَنْ تَعَالَى

    So leave aside the hatred of a spiteful man,

    for one who rises high does not draw the petty near.