تَعَلَّم بِأَنّي إِن أَرَدتَ صَحابَتي

تَعَلَّم بِأَنّي إِن أَرَدتَ صَحابَتي

لِتَعلَمَ مِنّي ما تُريدُ وَتَتَّقي

لِتَعلَمَ مِنّي ما تُريدُ وَتَتَّقي

Learn who I am, if you desire my companionship,

Know that, if you wish for my companionship—

so you may know what in me to seek—and what to shun.

so you may learn from me what you seek and what to avoid—

شَنِئتُ مِنَ الصُحبان مَن لَستُ زائِلاً

شَنِئتُ مِنَ الصُحبان مَن لَستُ زائِلاً

أُدامِلُهُ دَملَ السِقاءِ المُخرَّقِ

أُدامِلُهُ دَملَ السِقاءِ المُخرَّقِ

Among companions I detest one whom I must forever

I have loathed, among companions, the one whom I never cease

keep patching, like a punctured waterskin.

placating, as one patches a torn waterskin.

إِذا كانَ شيءٌ بَينَنا قيلَ إِنَّهُ

إِذا كانَ شيءٌ بَينَنا قيلَ إِنَّهُ

حَديدٌ فَخالِف جَهلَهُ وَتَرفَّقِ

حَديدٌ فَخالِف جَهلَهُ وَتَرفَّقِ

If something arises between us and is deemed harsh,

If anything happens between us, it is said, 'He is

then counter its folly, and proceed with gentleness.

sharp-tempered; so counter his folly and be gentle.'