Ali ibn Abi Talib Quotes - Page 2

Do not hate what you do not know, for the greater part of knowledge consists of what you do not know.

Allah, the Exalted, gave the angels intellect without desires, He gave the animals desires without intellect, and He gave both to the sons of Adam. So a man whose intellect prevails over his desires is better than the angels, whilst a man whose desire prevails over his intellect is worse than the animals.

Do not be too hard, lest you be broken; do not be too soft, lest you be squeezed.

Don't engage your heart in grief over the past or you wont be ready for what is coming.

People are of two types, they are either your brothers in faith or your equals in humanity.

Not every man with a heart is understanding, nor every man with an ear a listener, and nor every man with eyes able to see.

A True friend is one who sees a fault, gives you advice and who defends you in your absence.

Surely silence can sometimes be the most eloquent reply.

He who trusts the world, the world betrays him.

Do not use the sharpness of your speech on your mother who taught you how to speak.

Do not raise your children the way your parents raised you; they were born for a different time.

Put aside your pride, Set down your arrogance, And remember your grave.

There are three signs of a knowledgeable person: knowledge, forbearance and silence.

Safety lies in silence. It is easier to rectify what you miss by silence, than to secure what you lose by speaking.

He who understands humanity seeks solitude

The world is darkness; knowledge is light; but knowledge without truth is a mere shadow.

Do not take someone's silence as his pride, perhaps he is busy fighting with his self.

You should desire for others what you desire for yourself, and hate for others what you hate for yourself. Do not oppress, just as you do not like to be oppressed. Do good to others just as you would like good to be done to you. Dislike in yourself what you dislike in others. Accept that treatment from others which you would like others to accept from you. Do not say to others what you do not like to be said to you.

Stubbornness destroys good advice.

Two things cause people to be destroyed: fear of poverty and seeking superiority through pride.

It is better to listen to a wise enemy than to seek counsel from a foolish friend.

Patience is of two kinds: patience over what pains you, and patience against what you covet.

Nothing hurts a good soul and kind heart more than to live amongst people who can't understand it.

True friends are a single soul divided between different bodies.

Courtesy costs nothing, but buys everything.