1. هذه آثارنا فادع لنا

    وقل المرء عليه فعل دل

    These are our traces; pray for us,

    And say: a deed reveals the man.

  2. قيمة الانسان ما يحسنه

    حكمة سار بها ركب المثل

    A person's worth is what he does well—

    A maxim carried along by the caravan of proverbs.

  3. مثل ذا فليعمل العامل أو

    يتنكب جهة كي يعتزل

    Let whoever acts act thus, or

    Turn to one side so as to withdraw.

  4. لا تباهى القوم بالمال ولا

    بعلو الجاه أو سبك الجدل

    Do not boast before others of wealth, nor

    Of lofty rank or finely crafted argument.

  5. واعتبر ما قاله الوردي في

    نظمه الحكمي اذ قال اعتزل

    And heed what al-Wardi said in

    His verse of wisdom, when he said, 'Withdraw,'

  6. في بيوت اذن الله غدت

    آيد تدعو لاصلاح العمل

    In verses that, with God's leave, have become

    Strong [wording uncertain], calling for the reform of conduct.

  7. فتدبرها أخا الفهم وقم

    بدياجي الليل واجه كالبطل

    So ponder them, brother of understanding, and rise

    In the darkness of night; face it like a hero.

  8. حصل العلم بأخلاق لها

    في الورى صيت ودع عنك الملل

    Acquire knowledge with virtues that have

    Renown among humankind, and cast off boredom.

  9. وتفنن وتأدب واسألن

    منصفا شيخك ايضاح العلل

    And master diverse arts, refine your manners, and be sure to ask

    Your teacher, with fairness, for clarification of the causes.

  10. انظم الشعر وهذب لفظه

    خدم الفكر وجانب من كسل

    Compose poetry and refine its wording.

    Put thought to work, and avoid whoever is idle.

  11. واتق الله تكن طوداً فما

    ثمرة العلم سوى هجر الزلل

    And fear God; you will be a towering mountain, for there is no

    Fruit of knowledge but the forsaking of error.

  12. واقبل النصح ودع طرق الخنا

    والزم الصدق واياك الخبل

    And accept counsel, and leave the paths of indecency.

    And hold fast to truthfulness; beware of folly.