أَلَذُّ مَوَدّاتِ الرِجالِ مَذاقَةً

أَلَذُّ مَوَدّاتِ الرِجالِ مَذاقَةً

مَوَدَّةُ مَن إِن ضَيَّقَ الدَهرُ وَسَّعا

مَوَدَّةُ مَن إِن ضَيَّقَ الدَهرُ وَسَّعا

The sweetest-tasting of men's friendships

The sweetest intimacy of men in savor

Is the friendship of one who makes room when fate hems you in.

Is the intimacy of one who, should time grow strait, will give latitude.

فَلا تَلبَسِ الوُدَّ الَّذي هُوَ ساذَجٌ

فَلا تَلبَسِ الوُدَّ الَّذي هُوَ ساذَجٌ

إِذا لَم يَكُن بِالمَكرُماتِ مُرَصَّعا

إِذا لَم يَكُن بِالمَكرُماتِ مُرَصَّعا

So do not wear affection that is unadorned,

Put not on, then, the affection which is simple minded

If it is not studded with noble deeds.

If it be not adorned with noble deeds.