The Peak of Eloquence part 1
Nahjul Balagha
Nahj al-Balagha (The Peak of Eloquence) is the most famous collection of speeches and letters attributed to Imam Ali.
- Submission to Allah‘s Will is the best companion; wisdom is the noblest heritage; theoretical and practical knowledge are the best signs of distinction; deep thinking will present the clearest picture of every problem.
- The mind of a wise man is the safest custody of secrets; cheerfulness is the key to friendship; patience and forbearance will conceal many defects.
- A conceited and self-admiring person is disliked by others; charity and alms are the best remedy for ailments and calamities; one has to account in the next world for the deeds that he has done in this world.
- If you overpower your enemy, then pardon him by way of thankfulness to Allah, for being able to subdue him.
- Unfortunate is he who cannot gain a few sincere friends during his life and more unfortunate is the one who has gained them and then lost them (through his deeds).
- When some blessings come to you, do not drive them away through thanklessness.
- He who is deserted by friends and relatives will often find help and sympathy from strangers.
- One who rushes madly after inordinate desire, runs the risk of encountering destruction and death.
- Often your utterances and expressions of your face leak out the secrets of your hidden thoughts.
- Hearts of people are like wild beasts. They attach themselves to those who love and train them.
- So long as fortune is favouring you, your defects will remain covered.
- Only he who has the power to punish can pardon.
- Generosity is to help a deserving person without his request, and if you help him after his request, then it is either out of self-respect or to avoid rebuke.
- There is no greater wealth than wisdom, no greater poverty than ignorance; no greater heritage than culture and no greater support than consultation.
- Patience is of two kinds: patience over what pains you, and patience against what you covet.
- Wealth converts a strange land into homeland and poverty turns a native place into a strange land.
- Contentment is the capital which will never diminish.
- Wealth is the fountain head of passions.
- Whoever warns you against sins and vices is like the one who gives you good tidings.
- Tongue is a beast, if it is let loose, it devours.
Woman is a scorpion whose grip is sweet.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.