Peak of Eloquence --

[safar]

Words of Wisdom

Here are different saying
of Imam Ali (RA),one of the most learned companion and cousin of Prophet
Mohammad (PBUH), who once said " Like your body your mind also gets tired so
refresh it by wise sayings. "

Below please find few of his sayings taken by the book of Imam Ali (r.a.) ,

"Peak of Eloquence"

1. One who says unpleasant things about others, will himself quickly become
a target of their scandal.

2. A wise man first thinks and then speaks and a fool speaks first and then
thinks.

3.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.

4. There is no greater wealth than wisdom, no greater poverty than
ignorance; no greater heritage than culture and no greater support than
consultation.

5. Tongue is a beast, if it is let loose, it devours

6. If you are greeted then return the greetings more warmly. If you are
favoured, then repay the obligation manifold; but he who takes the
initiative will always excel in merit.

7. Lack of friends means, stranger in one's own country.

8. Do not feel ashamed if the amount of charity is small because to refuse
the needy is an act of greater shame.

9. An ignorant person will always overdo a thing or neglect it totally.

10. The wiser a man is, the less talkative will he be.

11. Whoever wants to be a leader should educate himself before educating
others. Before preaching to others he should first practice himself. Whoever
educates himself and improves his own morals is superior to the man who
tries to teach and train others.

12. Every breath you take is a step towards your grave

13. There are people who worship Allah to gain His Favors, this is the
worship of traders; while there are some who worship Him to keep themselves
free from His Wrath, this is the worship of slaves; a few who obey Him out'
of their sense of gratitude and obligations, this is the worship of free and
noble men.

14. Have hope only in Allah. Be afraid of nothing but sins. If you do not
know a thing never feel ashamed to admit ignorance. If you do not know a
thing never hesitate or feel ashamed to learn it. Acquire patience and
endurance because their relation with true faith is that of a head to a
body, a body is of no use without a head, similarly true faith can be of no
use without attributes of resignation, endurance and patience.

15. One who imagines himself to be all-knowing will surely suffer on account
of his ignorance

16.I appreciate an old man's cautious opinion more than the valor of a young
man.
17. I wonder at a man who loses hope of salvation when the door of
repentance is open for him.

18. He is the wisest and the most knowing man who advises people not to lose
hope and faith in the Mercy of Allah and not to be too sure and
over-confident of immunity from His Wrath and Punishment.

19. A fool's mind is at the mercy of his tongue and a wise man's tongue is
under the control of his mind.

20. That knowledge which remains only on your tongue is very superficial.

The intrinsic value of knowledge is that you act upon it.

21. There are many educated people who have ruined their future on account
of their ignorance of religion. Their knowledge did not prove of any avail
to them.

22. He who practices moderation and frugality will never be threatened with
poverty.

23. To keep silent when you can say something wise and useful is as bad as
keeping on propagating foolish and unwise thoughts.

24.The first fruit of forbearance is that people will sympathize with you
and they will go against the man who offended you arrogantly.

25. When I feel angry with a person how and when should I satisfy my anger,
whether at a time when I am not in a position to retaliate and people may
advise me to bear patiently or when I have power to punish and I forgive.

26. Silence will create respect and dignity; justice and fairplay will bring
more friends; benevolence and charity will enhance prestige and position;
courtesy will draw benevolence; service of mankind will secure leadership
and good words will overcome powerful enemies.

Taken from: Peak of Eloquence Nahjul Balagha Sermons and Letters of Imam Ali
Ibn Abi Talib (as) Translated by Askari Jafri Eleventh Revised Edition -
Islamic Seminary Publications ISBN 0-941724-18-2

[Anisa]

good thread Safar, I think we can all learn a thing or two here.

[Sista]

I really enjoyed reading those

With regards to the book, what else does it refer to?

[HOUDA-K]

A wonderful post allowing us to contemplate the meaning of life through simple words of wisdom.

Thank ~ you

[safar]

Originally posted by Sista
I really enjoyed reading those

With regards to the book, what else does it refer to?

sista, I don't know. I just got these quotes from a Pakistani web forum, where Pakistanis were fighting each other However our fights are more about Politics and Militarists vs. Democrats. So someone posted these quotes so that members can reflect on their own behavior.

I think this book is published in Karachi, Pakistan. I don't know the details but the ISBN number is there (ISBN 0-941724-18-2) and you should be able to get it from a good library.