Quotes from Ali bin Abu-Talib

One, who adopts patience, will never be deprived of success though it may take a long time to reach him.

This world is not a permanent place, it is a passage, a road on which you are passing. There are two kinds of people here: One is the kind of those who have sold their souls for eternal damnation, the other is of those who have purchased their souls and freed them from damnation.

Recommended prayers cannot attain the pleasures of God for you when obligatory prayers are left unattended.

Our affairs are attached to the destiny decreed by God, even our best plans may lead us to destruction.

He who is greedy is disgraced; he who discloses his hardship will always be humiliated; he who has no control over his tongue will often have to face discomfort.

There is no capital more useful than intellect and wisdom, and there is no indigence more injurious than ignorance and unawareness.

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.

Be a child of your times!

Deficiency will result in shame and sorrow but caution and foresight will bring peace and security.

Defend your faith (in God) with the help of charity. Protect your wealth with the aid of Zakat. Let the prayers guard you from calamities and disasters.

What a difference is there between a deed whose pleasure passes away leaving behind it the pangs of pain and punishment and the deed whose oppressive harshness comes to an end leaving behind Divine rewards !

Knowledge and wisdom are really the privilege of a faithful Muslim. If you have lost them, get them back even though you may have to get them from the apostates.

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

To refrain from unlawful and impious source of pleasures is an ornament to the poor and to be thankful for the riches granted is the adornment of wealth.

The source of success of a claimant is the mediator.

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.

Whoever warns you against sins and vices is like the one who gives you good tidings.

The sin which makes you sad and repentant is more liked by God than the good deed which turns you arrogant.

Blessed is the man who always kept the life after death in his view, who remembered the Day of Judgment through all his deeds, who led a contented life and who was happy with the lot that God had destined for him.

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

One who hopes inordinately, impairs his deeds.

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

The best kind of wealth is to give up inordinate desires.

Be generous but not extravagant, be frugal but not miserly.