it is due to the master from whom its prices are expected and with whom its peoples goods are spent for this quality that i have described of envy and cleverness in its causes and knowledge of the ways that undermine and destroy the envied and bring him and his books down. especially if along with the inward envy and the use of cunning and intelligence he is a constant companion a follower who does not leave and a conversationalist who does not waver and he has no piety that restrains him from falsehood nor any caution that prompts him to think about the consequences for this may coincide with the masters period of repeating words and their frequent repetition to him of confirming his error and supporting his statement and defending it and his arguments in it so it affects his heart and distorts his opinion. so the master who loves that matters should be brought to him according to their truths and that things should be presented to him according to their forms has no trick in that except to cut off the source of this from the people of envy by turning away from them and detaining them.
لها على السيد الذي منه ترجى أثمانها، وعنده تنفق بضائع أهلها، على هذه الصفة التي وصفتها من الحسد والحذق بأسبابه، والمعرفة بالوجوه التي تثلم المحسود وتهده، وتضع منه ومن كتبه. لا سيما إن كان مع استبطان الحسد واستعمال الدهاء والذكاء جليسا لازما، وتابعا لا يفارق، ومحدثا لا يريم، وليست له رعة تحجره عن الباطل، ولا معه حذر يبعثه على الفكر في العواقب؛ فإن هذا ربما وافق فترة السيد ترداد الكلام، وكثرة تكراره عليه، من تأكيد خطائه، ونصرته قوله، وذياده عنه، واحتجاجه فيه، فيؤثر في قلبه، ويضجع رأيه. فليس للسيد الذي يحب أن تصير إليه الأمور على حقائقها، وتصور له الأشياء على هيئاتها، حيلة في ذلك إلا حسم مادة هذا من أهل الحسد، بالإعراض عنهم، والاحتجاز دونهم.