لنا صديقٌ يغُرُّ الأصدقاءَ وما

رأيتَهُ قَطُّ في وُدِّ امرئٍ صَدَقا

We have a friend who cheats friends, and never

Have you seen him truly loving anyone

صديقُه أبداً منه على وَجَلٍ

كَراكِبِ البحرِ يخشى دهرَهُ الغَرَقا

His friend is always fearful of him, wary

Like sailors fearing the sea will make them drown

لا تقرَبَنْ بابَ سُلطانٍ وإن مَلأتْ

هِباتُهُ غَيرَ مَمنونٍ بها الطُّرُقا

Do not go near the door of a ruler, even if

His gifts fill the roads overflowing for all

فإنّ أبوابَهُم كالبَحرِ راكبُهُ

مُرَوَّعُ القَلبِ يَخشى دهرَه الغَرَقا

For their doors are like the sea for those who ride

Fearful of heart for their lifetimes might sink