Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Good Character

Good Character الأخلاق

1 . A refined character is one of the two blessings.

1 ـ الخُلْقُ السَّجيحُ أحَدُ النِّعْمَتينِ

2 . The best thing is [good] character.

2 ـ أحْسَنُ شَيْء اَلخُلْقُ

3 . The most honourable distinction is [good] character.

3 ـ أكْرَمُ الحَسَبِ الخُلْقُ

4 . The best of qualities is honourable ambition.

4 ـأحْسَنُ الشِّيَمِ شَرَفُ الهِمَمِ

5 . The most beautiful qualities are forbearance and chastity.

5 ـ أزْيَنُ الشِّيَمِ اَلْحِلمُ والعِفافُ

6 . The purest of all people in lineage is the best of them in character.

6 ـ أطْهَرُ النَّاسِ أعْراقاً أحْسَنُهُمْ أخْلاقاً

7 . The most pleased of all people is one whose character is agreeable.

7 ـ أرْضَى النَّاسِ مَنْ كانَتْ أخْلاقُهُ رَضِيَّةً

8 . The best eminence is [in possessing] a beautiful character.

8 ـ أحْسَنُ السَّناءِ الخُلْقُ السَّجيحُ

9 . The most honourable quality of the noble one is his feigning inattention [and ignorance] about that which he is aware [regarding the negative traits of others].

9 ـ أشْرَفُ أخلاقِ الكَريمِ تَغافُلُهُ عَمَّا يَعْلَمُ

10 . The best of qualities are generosity, chastity and tranquillity.

10 ـ أفْضَلُ الشِّيَمِ السَّخاءُ والعِفَّةُ والسَّكينَةُ

11 . The best of morals are those which drive you towards noble deeds.

11 ـ أحْسَنُ الأخْلاقِ ما حَمَلَكَ عَلَى المَكارِمِ

12 . Verily Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, loves the person who is approachable [and courteous], of tolerant disposition and prompt in getting things done.

12 ـ إنَّ اللّهَ سُبْحانَهُ وتعالى يُحِبُّ السَّهْلَ النَّفْسِ، اَلسَّمِحَ الخَليقَةِ، القَريبَ الأمْرِ

13 . Verily it is from nobility of character to build ties with the one who cuts you off, to give one who deprives you and to forgive one who wrongs you.

13 ـ إنَّ مِنْ مَكارِمِ الأخلاقِ: أنْ تَصِلَ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ، وتُعطِيَ مَنْ حَرَمَكَ، وَتَعْفُوَ عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَكَ

14 . Noble traits are [acquired] through difficulties.

14 ـ اَلمَكارِمُ بِالمَكارِهِ

15 . A praiseworthy character is one of the fruits of intelligence.

15 ـ اَلخُلقُ المَحْمُودُ مِنْ ثِمارِ العَقْلِ

16 . He (‘a) said about those whom he praised: When they speak, they are truthful and when they are silent, they are not surpassed. When they look, they take lesson and when they turn away, they are not distracted. When they talk, they remember [Allah] and when they are quiet, they contemplate.

16 ـ «وقالَ ـ عَليه السّلامُ ـ فيمَنْ أثْنى عَلَيْهِ »: إنْ نَطَقُوا صَدَقُوا، وإنْ صَمَتُوا لَمْ يُسْبَقُوا، إنْ نَظَرُوا اِعْتَبَروُا، وإنْ أعْرَضُوا لَمْ يَلْهُوا، إنْ تَـكَلَّمُوا ذَكَرُوا، وإنْ سَكَتُوا تَفَكَّرُوا

17 . If you must compete with each other, then vie for [acquiring] desirable qualities and praiseworthy traits.

17 ـ إنْ كُنْتُمْ لامُحالَةَ مُتَنافِسينَ فَتَنافَسُوا فِي الخِصالِ الرَّغيبَةِ، وخِلالِ المَجْدِ

18 . One whose character is bad, his death is [considered a time of] happiness.

18 ـ مَنْ ساءَتْ سَجِيَّتُهُ سَرَّتْ مَنِيَّتُهُ

19 . When the character is good, the speech becomes gentle.

19 ـ إذا حَسُنَ الخُلْقُ لَطُفَ النُّطْقُ

20 . When there is an admirable quality in a man, then expect from him other such qualities.

20 ـ إذا كانَ فِي الرَّجُلِ خَلَّةٌ رائِقَةٌ فَانْتَظِرْ مِنْهُ أخَواتِها

21 . When the Qur’an calls you towards [acquiring] a beautiful quality, then compel yourself to adopt [a quality] like it.

21 ـ إذا دَعاكَ القُرآنُ إلى خَلَّة جَميلَة فَخُذْ نَفْسَكَ بِأمْثالِها

22 . With good character, life becomes pleasant.

22 ـ بِحُسْنِ الأخْلاقِ يَطيبُ العَيْشُ

23 . By [adopting] good character, sustenance becomes abundant.

23 ـ بِحُسْنِ الأخْلاقِ تَدِرُّ الأرزاقُ

24 . Opting for the truth and keeping away from untruth is the most beautiful quality and the best etiquette.

24 ـ تَحَريِّ الصِّدقِ، وتَجَنُّبُ الكِذْبِ، أجْمَلُ شيمَة وأفْضَلُ أدَب

25 . Compete in acquiring [a] desirable character, great forbearance and lofty ideas, [and] your reward will become great.

25 ـ تَنافَسُوا فِي الأخلاقِ الرَّغيبَةِ، والأحْلامِ العَظيمَةِ، والأخْطارِ الجَليلَةِ، يَعْظُمْ لَكمُ الجَزاءُ

26 . You should be zealous for praiseworthy qualities like protecting the [rights of the] neighbour, fulfilling the sureties, obedience to virtue and opposition to arrogance; and beautify yourselves with excellent traits.

26 ـ تَعَصَّبُوا لِخِلالِ الحَمْدِ، مِنَ الحِفْظِ لِلْجارِ، والوَفاءِ بالذِّمامِ، والطَّاعَةِ لِلْبِرِّ، والمَعْصِيَةِ لِلْكِبْرِ، وتَحَلَّوْا بِمَكارِمِ الخِلالِ

27 . Choose for yourself the best from every character [trait], for indeed virtue is a habit.

27 ـ تَخَيَّـرْ لِنَفْسِكَ مِنْ كُلِّ خُلْق أحْسَنَهُ، فَإنَّ الخَيْرَ عادَةٌ

28 . Good character is [an embellishment] for the soul and good appearance is [a beautification] for the body.

28 ـ حُسْنُ الخُلقِ لِلنَّفسِ، وحُسْنُ الخَلْقِ لِلْبَدَنِ

29 . Adopting a good character is the best [means of following the] religion.

29 ـ حُسْنُ الخُلقِ أفْضَلُ الدّينِ

30 . Good character is the best companion and self-conceit is a hidden ailment.

30 ـ حُسْنُ الخُلقِ خَيْرُ قَرين، والعُجْبُ داءٌ دَفينٌ

31 . Good character is from the best allotment and the most virtuous of qualities.

31 ـ حُسْنُ الخُلْقِ مِنْ أفْضَلِ القِسَمِ، وأحسَنِ الشِّيَمِ

32 . Good character is one of the two bounties [of Allah].

32 ـ حُسْنُ الخُلقِ أحَدُ العَطائَينِ

33 . Good character is proof of an honourable ancestry.

33 ـ حُسْنُ الأخْلاقِ بُرْهانُ كَرَمِ الأعْراقِ

34 . Good character increases sustenance and makes companions feel at ease.

34 ـ حُسْنُ الأخْلاقِ يُدِرُّ الأرزاقَ، ويُونِسُ الرِّفاقَ

35 . Good character is the cornerstone of all virtuous acts.

35 ـ حُسْنُ الخُلْقِ رَأسُ كُلِّ بِرّ

36 . Good character brings about adoration and strengthens love.

36 ـ حُسْنُ الخُلقِ يُورِثُ المَحَبَّةَ ويُؤَكِّدُ المَوَدَّةَ

37 . The best character is the one that is furthest from obstinacy.

37 ـ خَيْرُ الأخْلاقِ أبْعَدُها عَنِ اللَّجاجِ

38 . The best of qualities is the most agreeable of them.

38 ـ خَيـْرُ الشِّيَمِ أرْضاها

39 . The best of attributes is kindness.

39 ـ خَيْـرُ الَخلائِقِ الرِّفْقُ

40 . The best of all qualities is truthfulness in speech and noble actions.

40 ـ خَيْـرُ الخِلالِ صِدْقُ المَقالِ، ومَكارِمُ الأفْعالِ

41 . The foundation of belief is [adopting a] good character and adorning oneself with the truth.

41 ـ رَأسُ الإيمانِ حُسْنُ الخُلْقِ، والتَّحَلّي بِالصِّدقِ

42 . I had, in the past, a brother-in-faith and his view of the world as something insignificant made him great in my eyes. He was above being controlled by the needs of his appetency and thus he never craved for what he could not get nor would he ask for more of what he got. He was silent most of the time but when he spoke, he silenced the other speakers and quenched the thirst [for answers] of questioners. He was [apparently] weak and feeble but at the time of battle he was like the lion of the forest or the serpent of the valley. He would not put forth an argument unless it was decisive. He would not accuse anyone in an excusable matter until he had heard his excuse. He would not mention any suffering except after recovering from it. He would do as he says and not say that which he does not do [himself]. Even when (or if) he could be exceeded in speaking, he could not be excelled in silence. He was more eager to listen than he was to speak. When two things came before him, he would see which of the two was closer to vain desire and would oppose it. You should [all] adopt these qualities, thus acquire them and compete with each other in them. And if you cannot acquire them, you should know that acquiring a little is better than giving up plenty.

42 ـ كانَ لي فيما مَضى أخٌ فِي اللّهِ وكانَ يُعَظِّمُهُ في عَيني صِغَرُ الدُّنيا في عَيْنِه وكانَ خارِجاً مِنْ (عنْ) سُلْطانِ بَطْنِهِ، فلا يَشْتَهي ما لا يَجِدُ ولا يُكْثِرُ إذا وَجَدَ وكانَ أكثَرَ دَهْرِهِ صامِتاً فَإنْ قالَ بَذَّ القائِلينَ ونَقَعَ غَليلَ السَّائلينَ وكانَ ضَعيفاً مُسْتَضْعَفَاً فَإنْ جاءَ الجِدُّ فَهُوَ لَيْثٌ عاد وَصِلٌّ واد لا يُدْلي بِحُجَّة حَتّى يَأتِيَ قاضِياً وَكانَ لايَلُومُ أحَداً عَلى ما (لا) يَجِدُ العُذْرَ في مِثلِهِ حتّى يَسْمَعَ اعْتِذارَهُ وكانَ لا يَشْكُو وَجَعاً إلاّ عِنْدَ بُرْئِهِ وَكانَ يَفْعَلُ ما يَقُولُ ولا يَقُولُ ما لايَفْعَلُوكانَ إذا (إن) غُلِبَ عَلَى الكَلامِ لَمْ يُغْلَبْ عَلَى السُّكُوتِ وكانَ على أنْ يَسمَعَ أحْرَصَ مِنْهُ على أنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ وَكانَ إذا بَدَهَهُ أمرانِ نَظَرَ أيُّهُما أقْرَبُ إلى الهَوى فَخالَفَهُ فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِهذِهِ الخلائِقِ فَالْزَمُوها وتَنافَسُوا فيها فَإنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطيعُوها فَاعْلَمُوا أنَّ أخْذَ القَليلِ خَيرٌ مِنْ تَركِ الكَثيرِ

43 . Nothing gets constricted with good character.

43 ـ لَمْ يَضِقْ شَيْءٌ مَعَ حُسْنِ الخُلقِ

44 . One whose character is noble, his sustenance is increased.

44 ـ مَنْ كَرُمَ خُلْقُهُ اِتَّسَعَ رِزْقُهُ

45 . One whose qualities are good, his companionship is pleasant.

45 ـ مَنْ حَسُنَتْ خَليقَتُهُ طابَتْ عِشرَتُهُ

46 . One whose character is good, his ways become easy.

46 ـ مَنْ حَسُنَ خُلْقُهُ سَهُلَتْ لَهُ طَرُقُهُ

47 . One whose character is good, more people adore him and feel at ease with him.

47 ـ مَنْ حَسُنَ خُلْقُهُ كَثُرَ مُحِبُّوهُ، وأنَسَتِ النُّفُوسُ بِهِ

48 . Allah, the Glorified, does not give a servant anything from the good of this world or the Hereafter but because of his good character and his good intention.

48 ـ ما أعْطَى اللّهُ سُبْحانَهُ العَبْدَ شَيْئاً مِنْ خَيرِ الدُّنيا والآخرَةِ إلاّ بِحُسْنِ خُلْقِهِ، وحُسْنِ نِيَّتِهِ

49 . The best distinction is good character.

49 ـ نِعْمَ الحَسَبُ حُسْنُ الخُلْقِ

50 . The best trait is [having a] good character.

50 ـ نِعْمَ الشّيمَةُ حُسْنُ الخُلْقِ

51 . The best [form of] faith is a beautiful character.

51 ـ نِعْمَ الإيمانُ جَميلُ الخُلْقِ

52 . The hidden aspects of [one’s] character are uncovered by [companionship and] social interaction.

52 ـ خَوافِي الأخْلاقِ تـَكْشِفُهَا المُعاشَََرةُ

53 . The pinnacle of knowledge is distinguishing between character traits, manifesting the praiseworthy among them and suppressing the blameworthy among them.

53 ـ رَأسُ الْعِلْمِ التَّميزُ بَيْنَ الأخْلاقِ وإظْهارِ مَحْمُودِها وقَمْعِ مَذْمُومِها

54 . The adornment of [all] traits is being careful [in fulfilling] the sureties.

54 ـ زَيْنُ الشِّيَمِ رَعْىُ الذِّمَمِ

55 . Six things are used to gauge the character of men: [their behaviour in times of] happiness and anger, security and fear, deprivation and desire.

55 ـ سِتَّةٌ تـُخْتَبَرُ بها أخْلاقُ الرِّجالِ: الرِّضا، والغضَبُ، والأمْنُ، وَالرَّهْبُ، والمَنْعُ، والرَّغْبُ

56 . You must adopt a good character for this will earn you adoration [of others].

56 ـ عَلَيْكَ بِحُسْنِ الخُلقِ فَإنَّهُ يُكْسِبُكَ المَحَبَّةَ

57 . In good character, there are treasures of [blessings and] sustenance.

57 ـ في سَعَةِ الأخْلاقِ كُنُوزُ الأرْزاقِ

58 . Everything is possible except [changing and] transferring of natural dispositions [of character and personality].

58 ـ كُلُّ شَيْء يُسْتَطاعُ إلاَّ نَقْلَ الطِّباعِ

59 . How many a lowly person has been elevated by his good character!

59 ـ كَمْ مِنْ وَضيع رَفَعَهُ حُسْنُ خُلْقِهِ

60 . Whoever does not make his character good, his companion will not benefit from him.

60 ـ مَنْ لَمْ يُحسِنْ خُلْقَهُ لَمْ يَنْتَفِعْ بِهِ قَرينُهُ

61 . One whose attributes are not good, his [methods and] ways will not be praised.

61 ـ مَنْ لَمْ تُحسَنْ خَلائِقُهُ لَمْ تُـحْمَدْ طَرائِقُهُ

62 . There is no companion like good character.

62 ـ لاقرينَ كَحُسْنِ الخُلقِ

63 . There is no life more satisfying than [one lived with] good character.

63 ـ لاعَيْشَ أهْنَأُ مِنْ حُسْنِ الخُلْقِ

64 . When you see in others a quality which is objectionable, then keep similar qualities away from yourself.

64 ـ إذا رَأيتَ في غَيرِكَ خُلْقاً ذَميماً فَتَجَنَّبْ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ أمْثالَهُ

65 . Verily your natural disposition invites you towards that which you are familiar with.

65 ـ إنَّ طِباعَكَ تَدْعُوكَ إلى ما ألِفْتَهُ

66 . Indeed these natural dispositions are different, and the best of them is the furthest of them from evil.

66 ـ إنَّ هذِهِ الطَّبايِـعَ مُتَبايِنَةٌ، وخَيْرُها أبْعَدُها مِنَ الشَّـرِّ

67 . Verily only the dispositions of the virtuous are dispositions that have the potential of supporting good, so whenever they are laden with it, they carry it.

67 ـ إنَّما طَبايِـعُ الأبرارِ طَبايِـعُ مُحْتَمِلَةٌ لِلْخَيْرِ، فَمَهْماحُمِّلَتْ مِنْهُ اِحتَمَلَتْهُ

68 . He (‘a) said about the one whom he censured: If he falls sick he regrets having abandoned the work and if he is healthy, he feels secure and delays the work. When he is called to cultivate for this world, he works and when he is called to cultivate for the Hereafter, he is lazy. If he becomes wealthy, he turns arrogant and falls into vice and if he becomes poor, he despairs and becomes weak. If a favour is done to him, he is ungrateful and if he does a favour, he lengthens it and makes it seem like [a great favour and] an obligation. If an evil deed presents itself to him, he commits it with the excuse of seeking repentance [for it later] but when he decides to repent, he delays it and persists in sinning. If he experiences wellbeing, he assumes that he has repented. If he is distressed, he thinks [ill of Allah] and doubts [in Him]. If he falls ill he devotes himself and turns repentantly [to Allah] but if he regains his health, he forgets and returns [to his evil ways] and becomes emboldened in his injustice towards the servants [of Allah]. When he is secure, he is allured by the temptations of this world, so he forgets the Hereafter and is negligent of the Resurrection [on the Day of Judgment].

68 ـ وقالَ ـ عليهِ السّلامُ ـ في حقِّ مَنْ ذَمَّهُ: إنْ سَقِمَ فَهُوَ نادِمٌ على تَركِ العَمَلِ، وَإنْ صَحَّ أمِنَ مُغْتَرّاً فَأخَّرَ العَمَلَ، إنْ دُعِىَ إلى حَرْثِ الدُّنيا عَمِلَ، وإنْ دُعِىَ إلى حَرْثِ الآخِرَةِ كَسِلَ، إنِ استَغْنى بَطَرَ وفَتَنَ، إنِ افْتَقَرَ قَنَطَ ووَهَنَ، إنْ اُحْسِنَ إلَيهِ جَحَدَ، وإنْ أحْسَنَ تَطاوَلَ، وامْتَنَّ، إنْ عَرَضَتْ لَهُ مَعْصِيَةٌ واقَعَها بِالاِتِّكالِ عَلَى التَّوبَةِ، إنْ عَزَمَ عَلىَ التَّوبَةِ سَوَّفَها، وأصَرَّ عَلىَ الحَوْبَةِ إنْ عُوفِيَ ظَنَّ أنْ قَدْ تابَ، إن ِْابْتُلِيَ ظَنَّ وارْتابَ، إنْ مَرِضَ أخْلَصَ وأنابَ، إنْ صَحَّ نَسِيَ وعادَ وَاجْتَرى على مَظالِمِ العِبادِ، إنْ أمِنَ اِفْتَتَنَ لاهِياً بِالعاجِلَةِ، فَنَسِيَ الآخِرَةَ وغَفَلَ عَنِ المَعادِ

69 . When you see in others a quality which is objectionable, then keep similar qualities away from yourself.

69 ـ إذا رَأيْتَ في غَيْرِكَ خُلْقاً ذَميماً فَتَجَنَبْ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ أمثالَهُ

70 . The worst quality is treachery.

70 ـبِئسَ السَّجِيَّةُ الغُلُولُ

71 . A person’s distance from vice is [the source of his] magnanimity.

71 ـ بُعدُ المَرْءِ عَنِ الدَّنيَّةِ فُتُوَّةٌ

72 . Keep away from miserliness and hypocrisy, for these two are from the most reprehensible qualities.

72 ـ تَجَنَّبُوا البُخْلَ والنِّفاقَ، فَهُما مِنْ أذَمِّ الأخلاقِ

73 . Keep away from the worst of every character trait and struggle with yourself in keeping away from it, for indeed evil is obstinate.

73 ـ تَجَنَّبْ مِن كُلِّ خُلْق أسْوَأَهُ، وجاهِدْ نَفْسَكَ على تَجَنُّبِهِ فَإنَّ الشَّـرَّ لَجاجَةٌ

74 . Two attributes never come together in the heart of a believer: bad character and miserliness.

74 ـ خَلَّتانِ لا تَجتَمِعانِ في قَلبِ مُؤمِن: سُوءُ الخُلقِ والبُخْلُ

75 . Bad character is inauspicious and offending a benefactor is wickedness.

75 ـ سُوءُ الخُلْقِ شُؤْمٌ، والإساءَةُ إلَى المُحسِنِ لُؤْمٌ

76 . Bad character is the worst companion.

76 ـ سُوءُ الخُلْقِ شَرُّ قَرين

77 . Bad character alienates the near one and repels the distant one.

77 ـ سُوءُ الخُلْقِ يُوحِشُ القَريبَ، ويُنَفِّرُ البَعيدَ

78 . Bad character makes life bitter and is a torment for the soul.

78 ـ سُوءُ الخُلْقِ نَـكَدُ العَيْشِ وعَذابُ النَّفسِ

79 . The attributes that lead to evil are lying, stinginess, injustice and ignorance.

79 ـ الخِلالُ المُنْتِجَـةُ لِلشَرِّ الكِـذْبُ، والبُخْلُ، والجَوْرُ، وَالجَهْلُ

80 . Bad character alienates the soul and removes amiability.

80 ـ سُوءُ الخُلقِ يُوحِشُ النَّفْسَ ويَرْفَعُ الأُنْسَ

81 . The worst qualities are dishonesty and hypocrisy.

81 ـ شَرُّ الأخلاقِ الكِذْبُ والنِّفاقُ

82 . The worst of habits is lying.

82 ـ شَرُّ الشِّيَمِ الكِذْبُ

83 . A vice may debase [the one who commits it].

83 ـ قَدْ تُزْري الدَّنِيَّةُ

84 . Every malady has a cure except bad character.

84 ـ كُلُّ داء يُداوى إلاَّ سُوءُ الخُلْقِ

85 . One who is rude by nature, his surroundings are deserted.

85 ـ مَنْ خَشُنَتْ عَريكَتُهُ أقْفَرَتْ حاشِيَتُهُ

86 . One whose character is bad torments his [own] soul.

86 ـ مَنْ ساءَ خُلْقُهُ عَذَّبَ نَفْسَهُ

87 . One whose character is bad, his [own] family becomes fed up with him.

87 ـ مَنْ ساءَ خُلْقُهُ مَلَّهُ أهْلُهُ

88 . One who is of bad character is detested by his companion and associate.

.88 ـ مَنْ ساءَ خُلْقُهُ قَلاهُ مُصاحِبُهُ ورَفيقُهُ

89 . One who is of bad character lacks friends and associates.

89 ـ مَنْ ساءَ خُلْقُهُ أعْوَزَهُ الصَّديقُ، والرَّفيقُ

90 . It is from bad character to be stingy and abusive in demanding your right.

90 ـ مِنْ سُوءِ الخُلْقِ البُخْلُ، وسُوءُ التَّقاضي

91 . Be wary of jesting, playing, excessive joking, [excessive] laughing, and vain talks.

91 ـ اِحْذَرِ الهَزْلَ، واللَّعْبَ، وكَثْرَةَ المَزْحِ، والضِّحْكِ، وَالتُّرَهاتِ

92 . Be cautious of the bellows of arrogance, the dominance of zealotry and the bigotry of the age of ignorance.

92 ـ اِحْذَروُا مَنافِخَ الكِبْرِ، وغَلَبَةَ الحَمِيَّةِ، وتَعَصُّبَ الجاهِليَّةِ

93 . Beware of a wicked heart, corruption of intention, embarking on vice and the deception of [false] aspiration.

93 ـ إيّاكَ وخُبْثَ الطَّوِيَّةِ، وإفْسادَ النِّيَّةِ، ورُكوبَ الدَّنِيَّةِ،وَ غُرُورَ الأُمْنِيَّةِ

94 . The most detestable of morals is treachery.

94 ـ أقبَحُ الأخْلاقِ الخِيانَةُ

95 . The most wicked characteristic is spite.

95 ـ اَلأَمُ الخُلْقِ الحِقْدُ

96 . The worst of morals is adorning oneself with vices.

96 ـ أسْوَءُ الخَلائِقِ اَلتَّحَلّي بِالرَّذائِلِ

97 . A dispraised character is from the fruits of ignorance.

97 ـ اَلخُلقُ المَذْمُومُ مِنْ ثِمارِ الجَهْلِ

98 . How detestable are the traits of the vile and how good are the qualities of the honourable!

98 ـ ما أقْبَحَ شِيَمَ اللِّئامِ، وأحسَنَ سَجايَا الكِرامِ

99 . Being close to the people in their morals [and habits] is a safeguard from their malice.

99 ـ مُقارَبَةُ الرِّجالِ في خَلائِقِهِمْ أمْنٌ مِنْ غَوائِلِهِمْ

100 . There is no good in a character that is not adorned with forbearance.

100 ـ لا خَيْرَ في خُلْق لا يَزينُهُ حِلْمٌ

101 . There is no good in the trait of arrogance, haughtiness and pride.

101 ـ لا خَيْرَ في شيمَةِ كِبْر، وتَجَبُّر، وفَخْر

102 . There is no life for the one who has a bad character.

102 ـ لاعَيْشَ لِسَيِّيءِ الخُلْقِ

103 . There is no loneliness worse than [that which is brought about by] bad character.

103 ـ لا وَحْشَةَ أوْحَشُ مِنْ سُوءِ الخُلقِ

104 . The one who has a bad character is very impetuous and has a bitter life.

104 ـ اَلسَّيِّيُ الخُلقِ كَثيِرُ الطَّيْش مُنَغِّصُ العَيْشِ

105 . A bad character is one of the two torments.

105 ـ اَلخُلقُ السَّـيِّءُ أحَدُ العَذابَينِ

106 . One who makes his character bad, torments his [own] soul.

106 ـ مَنْ أساءَ خُلْقَهُ عَذَّبَ نَفْسَهُ

107 . One whose character is bad, his [own] family becomes fed up with him.

107 ـ مَنْ ضاقَ خُلْقُهُ مَلَّهُ أهْلُهُ

108 . One whose character is bad, his sustenance is restricted.

108 ـ مَنْ ساءَ خُلْقُهُ ضاقَ رِزْقُهُ

109 . One who does not affirm his past (i.e. the good character of his forefathers) with his present (i.e. his own good character), disgraces his predecessor and betrays his successor.

109 ـ مَنْ لَمْ يُؤَكِّد قَديمَهُ بِحَديثِهِ، شانَ سَلَفَهُ وخانَ خَلَفَهُ

Creation

Creation المخلوق

1 . Every creation is moving towards that which it has no knowledge of.

1 ـ كُلُّ مَخْلُوق يَجْري إلى ما لايَدْري

Seclusion

Seclusion الخلوة

1 . The cause of immorality is seclusion.

1 ـ سَبَبُ الفُجورِ الخَلْوَةُ

2 . Remaining in seclusion (when it is required to safeguard faith) is the habit of the righteous.

2 ـ مُلازَمَةُ الخَلْوَةِ دَأْبُ الصُّلَحاءِ

Wine

Wine الخمر

1 . Abandoning the drinking of wine is [commanded as] a protection for the mind.

1 ـ وتَرْكَ شُـرْبِ الخَمْرِ تَحصيناً لِلْعَقْلِ

Five Bad Qualities

Five Bad Qualities خمس وخمسة

1 . Five [types of people] are worthy of being humiliated: The one who interferes between two people when they have not involved him in their affair, the one who issues commands to the owner of the house [while] in his house, the one who approaches a dining table when he has not been invited to do so, the one who continues talking when nobody is listening and the one who sits in the place where he has no right to sit.

1 ـ خَـمْسَةٌ يَنْبَغي أنْ يُهانُوا: اَلدَّاخِلُ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ، لَمْ يُدْخِلاهُ في أمْرِهما، وَالمُتَأمِّرُ على صاحِبِ البَيْتِ في بَيْتِهِ، والمُتَقَدِّمُ على مائِدَة لَمْ يُدْعَ إلَيها، وَالمُقبلُ بِحَديثِهِ على غَيرِ مُسْتَمِع، والجالِسُ فِي المَجالِسِ الَّتي لايَسْتَحِقُّها

2 . Five qualities are detested from five [people]: Excessive licentiousness from scholars, greed from sages, stinginess from the wealthy, shamelessness from women and from the elders, adultery.

2 ـ خَمْسٌ يُسْتَقْبَحْنَ مِنْ خَمْس: كَثْرَةُ الفُجورِ مِنَ العُلَماءِ، والحِرْصُ في الحُكَماءِ، والبُخلُ فيِ الأغْنياءِ، والقِحَةُ في النِّساءِ ومِنَ المَشايِخِ الزِّنا

Anonymity

Anonymity الخمول

1 . Verily in anonymity [and lack of fame and prominence] there is peace of mind.

1 ـ إنَّ فيِ الخُمُولِ لَراحَةً