1. Indeed, if you count a young man's friends
You'll find many, but where is a sincere friend?
١. أَلا إِنَّ خِلّانَ الفَتى إِن عَدَدتَهُم
كَثيرٌ وَلَكِن أَينَ خِلٌّ مُوافِقُ
2. So close your eyes to the ugliness of hypocrisy among them -
For among them is none but a hypocrite and sycophant.
٢. فَغَمِّض عَلى قُبحِ المُراءاةِ مِنهُم
فَما مِنهُمُ إِلّا مُراءٍ مُنافِقُ
3. Have you not seen me being sincere with every flatterer?
For if I am not sincere with him, then with whom can I be sincere?
٣. أَلَم تَرَني صادَقتُ كُلَّ مُداهِنٍ
فَإِن لَم أُصادِقهُ فَمَن ذا أُصادِقُ