you will find among people those whom men before you have tested and whose only test is for you. whoever is known for his loyalty in times of hardship and necessity compete in it and be the first to do so for his belief is the most precious of contracts. whoever is afflicted by someone other than you and who reveals his ingratitude and treachery in times of hardship has warned you of himself even if he is your friend and just as he has betrayed others he will betray you for loyalty is part of his nature and he is loyal to friend and foe but treachery is part of his nature and he is loyal to no one but he leans in with the odds he is humbled when in need and proud when independent.
وستجد في الناس من قد جربته الرجال قبلك، ومحضه اختبارهم لك. فمن كان معروفا بالوفاء في أوقات الشدة وحالات الضرورة، فنافس فيه واسبق إليه؛ فإن اعتقاده أنفس العقد. ومن بلاه غيرك فكشف عن كفر النعمة، والغدر عند الشدة، فقد حذرك نفسه وإن آنسك وكما غدر بغيرك يغدر بك؛ فإن من شيمته الوفاء يفي للصديق والعدو، ومن طبيعته الغدر لا يفي لأحد، وإنما يميل مع الرجحان يذل عند الحاجة ويشمخ مع الاستغناء.