لا تَصحبنَّ سفيهاً ما حييتَ وكنْ

لا تَصحبنَّ سفيهاً ما حييتَ وكنْ

لذي التأدب والأفضالِ مُصطحبا

لذي التأدب والأفضالِ مُصطحبا

Never keep company with a fool as long as you live, and be

Do not associate with a fool as long as you live, but make

a companion to one of good manners and generous deeds.

The one of etiquette and nobility your companion.

فكمْ أديبٍ كَساهُ خلُّه سفها

فكمْ أديبٍ كَساهُ خلُّه سفها

وكمْ سفيهٍ كساهُ خلُّه أدبا

وكمْ سفيهٍ كساهُ خلُّه أدبا

For many a well-mannered man has been clothed in folly by his close friend,

For how many a polite man has his friendship clothed with folly,

and many a fool has been clothed in good manners by his close friend.

And how many a fool, his friendship clothed him with politeness.

فاخترْ لنفسك خِلاً لا تعُابُ به

فاخترْ لنفسك خِلاً لا تعُابُ به

لا خيرَ في صاحبٍ يستجلبُ الريبا

لا خيرَ في صاحبٍ يستجلبُ الريبا

So choose for yourself a close friend on whose account you are not reproached;

So choose for yourself a companion you are not blamed for,

there is no good in a companion who invites suspicion.

There is no good in a companion who attracts suspicion.