18 – Abū Saʿīd al-Madanī recited to me, and ʿUbayd ibn Abī al-Ḥulayl recited:

I purposely pass over the flaws in people’s speech,
lest I be answered with words I would detest.

I turn a blind eye to talk that provokes anger;
I remain forbearing—for forbearance befits me best.

So do not be dazzled by a man’s polished appearance,
by the gilded words he crafts or the gloss he spreads for you.

How many a youth pleases every onlooker—
quick-tongued yet wearing many faces!

He sleeps when deeds of honor present themselves,
but at the first hint of baseness he is wide awake.