1. لنا صديقٌ يغُرُّ الأصدقاءَ وما

    رأيتَهُ قَطُّ في وُدِّ امرئٍ صَدَقا

    We have a friend who deceives his friends, and never

    have I seen him sincere in his affection for anyone.

  2. صديقُه أبداً منه على وَجَلٍ

    كَراكِبِ البحرِ يخشى دهرَهُ الغَرَقا

    His friend is always in fear of him,

    like a voyager at sea, fearing drowning all his days.

  3. لا تقرَبَنْ بابَ سُلطانٍ وإن مَلأتْ

    هِباتُهُ غَيرَ مَمنونٍ بها الطُّرُقا

    Do not approach a ruler's gate, even if

    his gifts, bestowed without reproach, fill the roads.

  4. فإنّ أبوابَهُم كالبَحرِ راكبُهُ

    مُرَوَّعُ القَلبِ يَخشى دهرَه الغَرَقا

    For their gates are like the sea: whoever sails it

    is terrified at heart, fearing drowning all his days.