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.