"Be a firm friend"

Firmness of heart is needed for achievement,
but a firm friend does not lack friends.
Be a firm friend, that you may find friends innumerable;
for without friends you will be left helpless.
Generally the wolf seizes his prey at the moment
when a year-old sheep has strayed alone from the flock.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Goft sedq-e del be-bâyad kâr-râ
var nah yârân kam niyâyad yâr-râ
Yâr shaw tâ yâr bini bi `adad
zânkeh bi yârân be-mâni bi madad
Gorg aghlab ângahi girâ bovad
kaz shishak be-khvod tanhâ ravad

-- Mathnawi VI: 497-498; 500
"Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance"
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski
Threshold Books, 1996
Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahyل Monastra

The media:
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"Be a firm friend"