أرب من تغتشّه لكَ ناصحٌ

أرب من تغتشّه لكَ ناصحٌ

ومؤتمنٍ بالغيبِ غيرُ أمينِ

ومؤتمنٍ بالغيبِ غيرُ أمينِ

Many a person you suspect of deceit is a sincere adviser to you;

Four who wish you well and are sincere advisors,

and many a person trusted in your absence is untrustworthy.

Trustworthy in private though publicly not loyal.

فلا يختلبكَ القولُ لا فعلَ تحتَهُ

فلا يختلبكَ القولُ لا فعلَ تحتَهُ

فكم من نصيحٍ باللسانِ خؤون

فكم من نصيحٍ باللسانِ خؤون

So let no speech beguile you when no deed lies beneath it;

Let not their words or deeds deceive you,

for many a well-wisher in speech is deeply treacherous.

For many give advice in speech yet harbor malice.