اِرضَ مِنَ المَرءِ في مَوَدَّتِهِ

بِما يُؤَدّي إِلَيكَ ظاهِرُهُ

Judge a man's affection from what he shows you outwardly,

Not what his hidden thoughts would have you see.

مَن يَكشِفِ الناسَ لا يَرى أَحَداً

يَصِحُّ لَهُ مِنهُ سَرائِرُهُ

He who reveals men's secrets will find none to confide in -

No intimate of his will prove trustworthy.

توشِكُ أَن لا تُتِمَّ وَصلَ أَخٍ

في كُلِّ زَلّاتِهِ تُنافِرُهُ

You will seldom meet a loyal friend without some fault;

Bear with him still and be not quick to censure.

إِن ساءَني صاحِبي اِحتَمَلتُ وَإِن

سَرَّ فَإِنّي أَخوهُ شاكِرُهُ

If a friend wrongs me I put up with his wrong,

And if he is pleased I give thanks and rejoice.

أَصفَحُ عَن ذَنبِهِ وَإِن طَلَبَ ال

عُذرَ فَإِنّي عَلَيهِ عاذِرُهُ

I overlook his sins and do not ask

For excuses - I make allowance for him.