حاذر مجالسك القريب فطالما

كان التباعد من قريب ناشي

Beware your close companion, for often

Estrangement has arisen from someone close.

وتوق لين كلامه لنصيحة

فلكم بليت بناصح غشاش

And beware his gentle words offered as counsel,

For often have I been tried by a deceitful adviser.

فالناس اما خاتل أو خائن

اوخادع أو خائف أو خاش

For people are either scheming or treacherous,

Or deceitful, or afraid, or filled with dread.

جبلوا على كدر الطباع فلا تقل

بصفا حشا من للكدورة حاشى

They are molded with murky natures; do not claim

Purity in the heart of one who harbors murk.

ورضوا بأدنى مطلب فأجلهم

يرجو الغنى من راحة النباش

And they settle for the lowest aim; their greatest

Hopes for riches from a grave-robber's palm.

وأرى الدنا ندنى لأدنا ها المنى

فيرى الدني بها العلي الجاش

And I see the world bringing wishes near to its basest,

So through it the lowly man is deemed lofty in spirit.