واللَّهby God لاnot ذقتُI tasted يوماًever
واللَّه لا ذقتُ يوماً
مرارةًbitterness للسّؤالِof begging
مرارةً للسّؤالِ
By God, not once have I tasted
By God, I have never tasted
the bitterness of begging;
The bitterness of asking
ولاand not سمحتُI parted بعِرْضِيwith my honor
ولا سمحتُ بعِرْضِي
وقايةًas protection دونin defense of ماليmy wealth
وقايةً دون مالي
nor have I parted with my honor
Nor have I offered my dignity
as a shield for my wealth;
As protection without my money
ولاand not رضيتُI accepted قراراًa resting place
ولا رضيتُ قراراً
إلّاexcept قلالَthe summits of المعاليglory
إلّا قلالَ المعالي
nor have I accepted a resting place
Nor have I accepted any settlement
save the summits of glory.
Except the most honorable ones