Someone said to a Sufi in serenity,

Do you know what someone said behind your back?

He replied, 'Be silent, brother, let it rest.

It's better not to know what the enemy has said.'

Those who carry the enemy's message

Are indeed more hostile than the enemy itself.

No one conveys the enemy’s words to a friend

Except the one who sides with the enemy in enmity.

The enemy dared not wrong me openly,

In a way that would make my body tremble upon hearing.

You are more of an enemy, bringing to my ears

What the enemy said secretly.

The tale-bearer rekindles old conflicts,

And angers the calm, virtuous man.

Avoid such a companion as much as you can,

For they awaken dormant discord.

A dark dungeon with a man shackled within

Is better than moving discord from place to place.

A conflict between two people is like fire,

And the wretched tale-bearer is its wood-carrier.