Number 18

Iraqi style
English

Number 18

Don't hand gold to a rotten fool; his temperament is out of balance. Friendship is good only up to a point; beyond that it brings nothing but worry and heartache.
Explanation: The Persian uses crude, satirical idioms; I have rendered the intent in a plainer register while keeping the cautionary, mocking tone.

Original · Persian

شمارهٔ ۱۸

زر به خر کنده‌ای نباید داد که مزاجش نه معتدل باشد
‌دوستی تا به خایه نیک بود ‌ورنه تیمار و درد دل باشد