- Sayings of Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (A.S.)
The following sayings of Imam Ali (A.S) are taken from Du'a-e Kumail, trans. N. Hussein Mardi, Chehel Sotoon Theological School: Iran, 1989.
- The most complete gift of God is a life based on knowledge.
- The innumerable fools have made the learned very scarce.
- The learned man understands the ignorant for he was once ignorant for he was once ignorant himself.
- The ignorant man does not understand the learned for he has never been learned himself.
- Knowledge gives life to the soul.
- To respect the learned is to respect God.
- Knowledge creates fear of God.
- Practice makes knowledge perfect.
- To teach is to learn.
- Honesty is Divine language.
- To fulfill promises is the highest form of integrity.
- Truth means conformity of speech with the Divine mode of working.
- Friendship is impossible with a liar.
- Misrepresentation spoils narration.
- Lying spoils news.
- Enemity is the occupation of fools.
- One's obedience to God is proportionate to one's wisdom.
- To fight against one's own desires is highest wisdom.
- The wise aim at perfection.
- The foolish aim at wealth.
- To separate oneself from things of time and to connect oneself with things of eternity is highest wisdom.
- He is really wise whose actions reflect his words.
- Humility is the product of knowledge.
- Self-conceit poisons the mind.
- Self-conceit impedes progress.
- Pride mars greatness.
- Humility is one of the nets spread by real greatness.
- Boasting issues from small minds.
