دَع السُفَلاءَ وَاِختَر ذا وَفاءٍ

دَع السُفَلاءَ وَاِختَر ذا وَفاءٍ

مِن النُبَلاء وَاِغنَم طيب أنسه

مِن النُبَلاء وَاِغنَم طيب أنسه

Forsake the ignoble, and choose a loyal man

Leave the lowly and choose one faithful

From among the noble, and enjoy his pleasant company.

Of the noble and enjoy his sweet company

وَلا تَرجو الصَداقة مِن جَهولٍ

وَلا تَرجو الصَداقة مِن جَهولٍ

فَقَد قيلَ الجَهول عَدوُّ نَفسِه

فَقَد قيلَ الجَهول عَدوُّ نَفسِه

And do not hope for friendship from an ignorant man,

And hope not for friendship from a fool

For it has been said: the ignorant man is his own enemy.

For it is said, the fool is his own enemy