«وَأَوَاصِرُهُ تَشِفُّ، وَإِطْرَاؤُهُ يَجْتَذِبُ وَمَلَامُهُ يُجْتَنَبُ»
His bonds are thinning; his praise attracts while his rebuke is avoided.
Awāṣir refers to ties of relationship; iṭrāʾ is lavish praise, while malām means blame or reproach. The similar verbal shapes yajtadhib / yujtanab create a pleasing contrast between drawing someone closer and withdrawing from something.
The letter uses verbal symmetry to compress a social picture: social connections have weakened, yet the speaker's ability to praise or criticize remains part of what gives his words force.