this is not the case with those who are below them from the rabble and the common people. if one of them wanted to hide his faults from him he would show them out of love and would make up for them with the ugliest of them as much as he could. he mixes with people and associates with them out of necessity and mixing causes argument and defense and that is one of the causes of quarreling. quarreling leads to denouncing faults and throwing shame. at that point almost every one of the two parties is not satisfied with mentioning the truth of his companions faults but rather accuses him falsely and fabricates lies against him. these people have stopped seeking guidance from their companions and sending spies to find out their faults from their enemies. for it was brought to them by a different route. as for the common people who are at peace and do not quarrel with them or befriend them or argue with them then he will not lack someone who will alert him to his faults and advise him in his soul from his intimate friend relative companion friend and eater.
وليس كذلك حال من دونهم من الرعاع والسوقة فإن أحدهم لو رام أن يخفى عنه عيوبه يبدهه محبة بها ويتدارك عليه بأقبحها ما استطاع ذلك فإنه يخالط الناس ويلابسهم ضرورة والمخالطة تحدث المجادلة والمدافعة وذلك من أسباب المخاصمة والمخاصمة تؤدي إلى التعايب بالمثالب والترامي بالعار وعند ذلك يكاد كل واحد من الفريقين لا يرضى بذكر حقائق عيوب صاحبه بل يتهمه بالباطل ويفتعل عليه الزور فهؤلاء قد كفوا استرشاد جلسائهم وبث الجواسيس في تعرف عيوبهم من قبل أعدائهم فإنها قد جلبت إليهم من غير هذا الطريق فأما من يسالم من السوقة الناس فلا يساورهم ويواتيهم ولا يلاحيهم فإنه لا يعدم من ينبهه على عيبه وينصحه في نفسه من حميم وقريب وخليط وجليس وأكيل