عن المرء لا تسأل وسل عن قرينه

ففيه دليلٌ عنه بالطبع تهتدي

Do not ask about a man, but ask about his companion,

For in his companion there is a clue that will guide you to him.

ولا بدع في وفق الطباع إذا اقتدت

فكلّ قرينٍ بالمقارن يقتدي

There is nothing strange if one follows natural dispositions,

For each companion imitates the one next to him.

وإن تصطحب قوماً فصاحب خيارهم

لتصبح في ثوب الكمالات مرتدي

If you accompany people, accompany the best of them,

So that you may wear the garment of perfections.

وجانب قرين السوء يا صاح صحبةً

ولا تصحب الأردى فتردى مع الردي

Avoid, O wise one, the companion of evil,

And do not accompany the lost one, or you will be lost with the lost.