1. I advised you, do not befriend any but the noble,
Of refined traits, chaste and tactful,
١. نصحتُكَ لا تصحَبْ سِوى كُلِّ فاضِل
خَليقِ السّجايا بالتَّعفُّف والظَّرفِ
2. And rely on none but the generous, for one
Of the people, if you gain his goodness, is better than a thousand.
٢. ولا تَعتمِدْ غيرَ الكِرامِ فواحِدٌ
منَ النّاسِ إنْ حصَّلْتَ خَيرٌ منَ الألفِ
3. Have pity on this time and its bitterness,
For a person's time is more intimate than their ribs.
٣. وأشفِقْ على هَذا الزَّمانِ ومرِّه
فإنَّ زمانَ المَرءِ أضلَعُ من خَلْفِ