1. They took knowledge from me with humility,
Yet when they had grasped it, they treated me harshly.

2. They feigned gentleness when we met,
Yet when they turned away, they showed only severity.

3. They are true friends when I am present, but when absent,
They are, O Amr, the enemies of my absence.

4. They are mute if I speak the truth, yet if I err
Slightly, they flutter through the assembly with my mistake.

5. They hid from me all my good qualities,
And spread only vile words about me.

6. They conveyed from me what I never said,
And caused estrangement between me and my loved ones.

7. Every time they saddened and soured for me
The sweetness of my days over a long period.