وأعدى عدو المرءِ أبناءُ جنسه

وأعدى عدو المرءِ أبناءُ جنسه

وشرُّ صديقيه الصديقُ المجانسُ

وشرُّ صديقيه الصديقُ المجانسُ

And a man's bitterest enemies are those of his own kind,

The worst foes of a man are the sons of his race,

And the worse of his two friends is the friend of his own kind.

And the worst of his friends is an intimate mate.

وأعظمُ مكسوب الفتى مِنْ زمانِه

وأعظمُ مكسوب الفتى مِنْ زمانِه

عدوُّ منافٍ أو صديقٌ منافسُ

عدوُّ منافٍ أو صديقٌ منافسُ

And the greatest thing a young man gains from his times

The best gain of a youth from his days, I hold,

Is an antagonistic enemy or a rival friend.

Is a spiteful opponent or rival in hate.