أخ الكريمَ فإنَّ صُحبتَكَ

أخ الكريمَ فإنَّ صُحبتَكَ

اللئامَ عليك وصْمه

اللئامَ عليك وصْمه

Befriend the noble, for your companionship

O noble brother, your companionship

with the base is a stain upon you.

Repels the base, so shun them.

والمالُ أصلِحهُ فليس

والمالُ أصلِحهُ فليس

لمقترٍٍ في الناسِ حُرمْه

لمقترٍٍ في الناسِ حُرمْه

Put your wealth in order, for there is no

Improve your wealth, for none

respect among people for one of scant means.

Should be deprived of what he's earned.

وإذا استشرتَ فلا تُشا

وإذا استشرتَ فلا تُشا

ورْ غيرَ من جرَّبتَ حَزْمَهْ

ورْ غيرَ من جرَّبتَ حَزْمَهْ

And when you seek advice, do not consult

When seeking counsel, do not resort

anyone but one whose prudence you have tested.

To any but those proven wise.

وأحلُم إذا جَهِلَ الجهَو

وأحلُم إذا جَهِلَ الجهَو

لُ إذا دعتكَ الجُهلُ حلمَهْ

لُ إذا دعتكَ الجُهلُ حلمَهْ

And be forbearing when the ignorant one acts foolishly,

Be patient if fools speak foolishly;

when ignorance calls you—his forbearance [syntax unclear].

Respond with wisdom, not in kind.

ودعِ المراءِ لأهلِه

ودعِ المراءِ لأهلِه

وأحذر معرَّتَه وأثمَهْ

وأحذر معرَّتَه وأثمَهْ

Leave disputation to those who practice it,

Leave arguments to those who argue;

and beware of its disgrace and its sin.

Beware contention and its sin.