إِذا ما عَمَمتَ الناسَ بِالأُنسِ لَم تَزَل

لِصاحِبِ سوءٍ مُستَفيداً وَكاسِبا

If you treat people with affection, you will always

Benefit the wicked and gain their approval.

فَإِن تُقصِهِم يَرموكَ عَن سَهمِ بُغضَة

فَكُن خَلِطاً أَن شِئتَ أَو كُن مُجانِبا

If you shun them, they will pelt you with arrows of hatred.

So mix with them or avoid them as you wish,

فَلا تَدنُوَنْ مِنهُم وَلا تُقصِيَنَّهُم

وَلَكِنَّ أَمراً بَينَ ذاك مُقارِبا

But do not get too close or keep too far away-

Rather, take the middle course between the two.