دَارِ الصَّدِيقَ وَلا تَأْمَنْ بَوَادِرَهُ

فَرُبَّمَا عَادَ بَعْدَ الصِّدْقِ خَوَّانَا

Beware of the house of friends, and do not feel safe from their harm,

For often, after truthfulness, they may betray and deceive.

يُفْضِي بِسِرِّكَ أَوْ يَسْعَى بِأَمْرِكَ أَوْ

يَقُولُ عَنْكَ حَدِيثَ السُّوءِ بُهْتَانَا

They may reveal your secret or interfere in your affairs,

Or speak evil lies and slander about you.

فَإِنْ تَنَصَّلْتَ قَالُوا فِيكَ مَعْرِفَةً

تَنْفِي المِرَاءَ مَعَ الوُدِّ الذِي كَانَا

If you avoid them, they say you know them,

Denying discord along with past affection.

وَأَكْثَرُ الْخَلْقِ مَطْبُوعٌ عَلَى ظِنَنٍ

تَقْضِي عَلَيْهِ بِلَبْسِ الْحَقِّ أَحْيَانَا

Most people are inclined to suspicions

Which lead them to confuse right and wrong.

وَقَلَّ فِي النَّاسِ مَنْ جَرَّبْتُهُ فَرَأَى

بَيْنَ الْحَقِيقَةِ وَالْبُهْتَانِ فُرْقَانَا

Few among people have I tested, and seen

The distinction between reality and lies.