Be a (firm) friend, that you may find friends innumerable; for without friends you will be left helpless.
دیو گرگست و تو همچون یوسفی ** دامن یعقوب مگذار ای صفی
The Devil is a wolf, and you are like Joseph: do not let go Jacob's skirt, O excellent one.
گرگ اغلب آنگهی گیرا بود ** کز رمه شیشک به خود تنها رود 500
Generally the wolf seizes (his prey) at the moment when a year-old sheep strays alone by itself from the flock.
آنک سنت یا جماعت ترک کرد ** در چنین مسبع نه خون خویش خورد
He who has abandoned (the performance of) the Sunna with the (Moslem) community, has not he drunk his own blood (exposed himself to destruction) in such a haunt of wild beasts?
هست سنت ره جماعت چون رفیق ** بیره و بییار افتی در مضیق
The Sunna is the (safe) road, and the community are like (your) companions (on the road): without the road and without comrades you will fall into (sore) straits;
همرهی نه کو بود خصم خرد ** فرصتی جوید که جامهی تو برد
(But) not the fellow-traveller who is an enemy to Reason and seeks an opportunity to carry off your clothes,
میرود با تو که یابد عقبهای ** که تواند کردت آنجا نهبهای
(And only) goes about with you in order to find a mountain-pass where he can plunder you!
یا بود اشتردلی چون دید ترس ** گوید او بهر رجوع از راه درس 505
Nor one who has the (timorous) heart of a camel and, when he feels afraid, instructs (you) to turn back on the road!
یار را ترسان کند ز اشتردلی ** این چنین همره عدو دان نه ولی
By his camel's courage he frightens his comrade: know that such a fellow-traveller is an enemy, not a friend.