عن المرء لا تسأل وسل عن قرينه

عن المرء لا تسأل وسل عن قرينه

ففيه دليلٌ عنه بالطبع تهتدي

ففيه دليلٌ عنه بالطبع تهتدي

Do not ask about a man; ask about his companion.

Do not ask about a man, but ask about his companion,

For in his companion lies a clue about him, by which you are naturally guided.

For in his companion there is a clue that will guide you to him.

ولا بدع في وفق الطباع إذا اقتدت

ولا بدع في وفق الطباع إذا اقتدت

فكلّ قرينٍ بالمقارن يقتدي

فكلّ قرينٍ بالمقارن يقتدي

Nor is there anything strange in temperaments agreeing when they follow another's example,

There is nothing strange if one follows natural dispositions,

For every companion follows the example of his associate.

For each companion imitates the one next to him.

وإن تصطحب قوماً فصاحب خيارهم

وإن تصطحب قوماً فصاحب خيارهم

لتصبح في ثوب الكمالات مرتدي

لتصبح في ثوب الكمالات مرتدي

And if you keep company with people, befriend the best of them,

If you accompany people, accompany the best of them,

So that you may be clad in the robe of perfections.

So that you may wear the garment of perfections.

وجانب قرين السوء يا صاح صحبةً

وجانب قرين السوء يا صاح صحبةً

ولا تصحب الأردى فتردى مع الردي

ولا تصحب الأردى فتردى مع الردي

And shun the company of an evil companion, my friend,

Avoid, O wise one, the companion of evil,

And do not befriend the basest, lest you fall to ruin with the base.

And do not accompany the lost one, or you will be lost with the lost.