Beware! Do not hearken to the blandishments of the bad friend: espy the snare, do not walk securely on the earth.
عشوههای یار بد منیوش هین ** دام بین ایمن مرو تو بر زمین
See the hundred thousand devils who utter Lá hawl! O Adam, in the serpent behold Iblís!
صد هزار ابلیس لاحول آر بین ** آدما ابلیس را در مار بین
He gives (you) vain words, he says to you, “O my soul and beloved,” that he may strip the skin off his beloved, like a butcher.
دم دهد گوید ترا ای جان و دوست ** تا چو قصابی کشد از دوست پوست
He gives vain words that he may strip off your skin: woe to him that tastes opium from (the mouth of) enemies.
دم دهد تا پوستت بیرون کشد ** وای او کز دشمنان آفیون چشد
He lays his head at your feet (in flattery) and butcher-like gives (you) vain (wheedling) words, that he may shed your blood miserably.260
سر نهد بر پای تو قصابوار ** دم دهد تا خونت ریزد زار زار
Like a lion, hunt your prey yourself: leave (pay no heed to) the blandishment of stranger or kinsman.
همچو شیری صید خود را خویش کن ** ترک عشوهی اجنبی و خویش کن
Know that the regard of the base is like that servant; ’tis better to have nobody (as your friend) than (to accept) the flattery of nobodies (worthless people).