Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

The Tongue

The tongue-اللسان

1 . The tongue is a gauge that is given weight by the intellect and made light by ignorance.

1 ـ اَللِّسانُ مِعْيارٌ أرْجَحَهُ العَقْلُ، وأطاشَهُ الجَهْلُ

2 . Safeguard your tongue just as you treasure your gold and your money.

2 ـ أُخْزُنْ لِسانَكَ، كَما تَخْزُنُ ذَهَبَكَ ووَرِقَكَ

3 . Protect your head from the slips of your tongue, and constrain it with reason, judiciousness, God-wariness and intellect.

3 ـ اِحْفَظْ رَأسَكَ مِنْ عَثْرَةِ لِسانِكَ، وازْمُمْهُ بِالنُّهى والحَزْمِ، والتُّقى، وَالعَقْلِ

4 . Restrain your tongue before it prolongs your incarceration and destroys your soul, for there is nothing more worthy of long imprisonment than a tongue that has strayed from the right and is hasty in responding.

4 ـ اِحْبِسْ لِسانَكَ قَبْلَ أنْ يُطيلَ حَبْسَكَ، ويُرْديَ نَفْسَكَ، فَلا شَيْءَ أوْلى بِطُولِ سِجْن مِنْ لِسان يَعْدِلُ عَنِ الصَّوابِ، ويَتَسَرَّعُ إلَى الجَوابِ

5 . Be cautious of the tongue for indeed it is an arrow that can miss its mark.

5 ـ اِحْذَرُوا اللِّسانَ فَإنَّهُ سَهْمٌ يُخْطي

6 . Beware of making your tongue a medium for slandering your brothers, or of saying that which will become proof against you and a reason for harming you.

6 ـ إيّاكَ أنْ تَجْعَلَ مَرْكَبَكَ لِسانَكَ في غَيْبَةِ إخْوانِكَ، أوْ تَقُولَ ما يَصيرُ عَلَيْكَ حُجَّةً، وفِي الإسائَةِ إلَيْك َ عِلَّةً

7 . Know that the tongue is a part of a person’s body, so when he desists, speech will not assist him and when he opens up [and is ready to speak], speech will not give him time to pause.

7 ـ ألا وإنَّ اللِّسانَ بَضْعَةٌ مِنَ الإنْسانِ، فَلا يُسْعِدُهُ القَوْلُ إذَا امْتَنَعَ، وَلايُمْهِلُهُ النُّطْقُ إذَا اتَّسَعَ

8 . Now surely the good repute of a man that is preserved for him by Allah among the people is better than the wealth that is inherited by those who do not praise him.

8 ـ ألا وَإنَّ اللِّسانَ الصّادِقَ يَجْعَلُهُ اللّهُ لِلْمَرْءِ فِي النّاسِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ المالِ يُورِثُهُ مَنْ لايَحْمَدُهُ

9 . Verily your tongue demands from you that which you have made it accustomed to.

9 ـ إنَّ لِسانَكَ يَقْتَضيكَ ما عَوَّدْتَهُ

10 . The tongue is the interpreter of the heart.

10 ـ اَللِّسانُ تَرْجُمانُ الجَنانِ

11 . The tongue is recalcitrant to its owner.

11 ـ اَللِّسانُ جَمُوحٌ بِصاحِبِهِ

12 . The tongue is the interpreter of the intellect.

12 ـ اَللِّسانُ تَرْجُمانُ العَقْلِ

13 . A person is hidden under his tongue.1

13 ـ اَلْمَرْءُ مَخْبُوءٌ تَحْتَ لِسانِهِ

14 . The tongue is a beast of prey, if you let it free it will injure [you].

14 ـ اَللِّسانُ سَبُعٌ إنْ أطْلَقْتَهُ عَقَرَ

15 . The tongue is the gauge of a human being.

15 ـ اَللِّسانُ ميزانُ الإنْسانِ

16 . The tongues reveal that which is concealed by the inner consciences.

16 ـ اَلاْلْسُنُ تُتَرْجِمُ عَمّا تَجُنُّهُ الضَّمائِرُ

17 . The affliction of a human being is in his tongue.

17 ـ بَلاءُ الإنْسانِ في لِسانِهِ

18 . The edge of a spearhead severs the appendages [of the body] whereas the edge of the tongue cuts short lifetimes.

18 ـ حَدُّ السِّنانِ يَقْطَعُ الأوْصالَ، وحَدُّ اللِّسانِ يَقْطَعُ الآجالَ

19 . The edge of the tongue is sharper than the edge of a spearhead.

19 ـ حَدُّ اللِّسانِ أمْضى مِنْ حَدِّ السِّنانِ

20 . Many a tongue destroys a person.

20 ـ رُبَّ لِسان أتى عَلى إنْسان

21 . The slip of the tongue is more harmful than the thrust of the spearhead.

21 ـ زَلَّةُ اللِّسانِ أنْكى مِنْ إصابَةِ السِّنانِ

22 . The slip of the tongue is more severe than the injury caused by a spearhead.

22 ـ زَلَّةُ اللِّسانِ أشَدُّ مِنْ جُرْحِ السِّنانِ

23 . The slip of the tongue causes the greatest destruction.

23 ـ زَلَّةُ اللِّسانِ أشَدُّ هَلاك

24 . Restraining the tongue is [a means of attaining] fortune and authority while setting it free is [a cause of] destruction.

24 ـ ضَبْطُ اللِّسانِ مُِلْكٌ وإطْلاقُهُ هُلْكٌ

25 . The piercing of the tongue is more injurious than the piercing of the spear.

25 ـ طَعْنُ اللِّسانِ أمَضُّ مِنْ طَعْـنِ السِّنانِ

26 . Accustom your tongue to polite speech and you will remain safe from reproach.

26 ـ عَوِّدْ لِسانَكَ حُسْنَ الكَلامِ تَأْمَنِ المَلامَ

27 . It is very rare for the tongue to remain fair in spreading [news about] the ugly and the good acts [of others].

27 ـ قَلَّما يُنْصِفُ اللِّسانُ في نَشْرِ قَبيح أوْ إحْسان

28 . Set your tongue aright and you will be secure.

28 ـ قَوِّمْ لِسانَكَ تَسْلَمْ

29 . Every person is held accountable for the offence committed by his tongue and his hand.

29 ـ كُلُّ إنْسان مُؤاخَذٌ بِجِنايَةِ لِسانِهِ ويَدِهِ

30 . How much blood has been spilt by the mouth!2

30 ـ كَمْ مِنْ دَم سَفَكَهُ فَمٌ

31 . How many a person has been destroyed by the tongue!

31 ـ كَمْ مِنْ إنْسان أهْلَكَهُ لِسانٌ

32 . The tongue of the intelligent person is behind his heart.3

32 ـ لِسانُ العاقِلِ وَراءَ قَلْبِهِ

33 . The tongue of the ignorant person is the key to his destruction.

33 ـ لِسانُ الجاهِلِ مِفْتاحُ حَتْفِهِ

34 . Your tongue demands from you that which you have made it accustomed to.

34 ـ لِسانُكَ يَقْتَضيكَ ما عَوَّدْتَهُ

35 . He (‘a) said about the one whom he reproached: His tongue is like honey but his heart is a prison for rancour.

35 ـ وقالَ ـ عَلَيْهِ السّلامُ ـ في حَقِّ مَنْ ذَمَّهُ: لِسانُهُ كَالشَّهْدِ ولكِنْ قَلْبُهُ سِجْنٌ لِلْحِقْدِ

36 . The tongue of a virtuous person is enthralled by the continued remembrance of Allah.

36 ـ لِسانُ البَرِّ مُسْتَهْتَرٌ بِدَوامِ الذِّكْرِ

37 . If you restrain your tongue, it will save you and if you set it free, it will ruin you.

37 ـ لِسانُكَ إنْ أمْسَكْتَهُ أنْجاكَ، وإنْ أطْلَقْتَهُ أرْداكَ

38 . Your tongue demands from you that which you have accustomed it to and your soul requires from you that which you have familiarized it with.

38 ـ لِسانُكَ يَسْتَدْعيكَ ما عَوَّدْتَهُ، ونَفْسُكَ تَقْتَضيكَ ما ألِفْتَهُ

39 . One whose tongue is sweet [and polite], his friends increase.

39 ـ مَنْ عَذُبَ لِسانُهُ كَثُرَ إخْوانُهُ

40 . One who protects his tongue honours himself.

40 ـ مَنْ حَفِظَ لِسانَهُ أكْرَمَ نَفْسَهُ

41 . One who does not control his tongue regrets.

41 ـ مَنْ لَمْ يَمْلِكْ لِسانَهُ يَنْدَمْ

42 . One who imprisons his tongue remains safe from regret.

42 ـ مَنْ سَجَنَ لِسانَهُ أمِنَ مِنْ نَدَمِهِ

43 . One who sets his tongue aright adorns his intellect.

43 ـ مَنْ قَوَّمَ لِسانَهُ زانَ عَقْلَهُ

44 . One who makes his tongue his master has decreed his own death.

44 ـ مَنْ أمَّرَ عَلَيْهِ لِسانَهُ قَضا بِحَتْفِهِ

45 . One who restrains his tongue is safe from regret.

45 ـ مَنْ أمْسَكَ لِسانَهُ أمِنَ نَدَمَهُ

46 . One who sets his tongue free demonstrates his own foolishness.

46 ـ مَنْ أطْلَقَ لِسانَهُ أبانَ عَنْ سُخْفِهِ

47 . Guarding the tongue is part of faith.

47 ـ مِنَ الإيمانِ حِفْظُ اللِّسانِ

48 . One who does not guard his tongue has not completed his faith.

48 ـ ما عَقَدَ إيمانَهُ مَنْ لَمْ يَحْفَظْ لِسانَهُ

49 . Without a tongue, the human being would be nothing more than lifeless statue or a wild beast.

49 ـ مَا الإنْسانُ لَوْلاَ اللِّسانُ إلاّ صُورَةٌ مُمَثَّلَةٌ أوْ بَهيمَةٌ مُهْمَلَةٌ

50 . Nothing attracts the heart of a human being more than a [sweet and eloquent] tongue, and none beguiles the soul more than Satan.

50 ـ ما مِنْ شَيْء أجْلَبَ لِقَلْبِ الإنْسانِ مِنْ لِسان، ولاأخْدَعَ لِلنَّفْسِ مِنْ شَيْطان

51 . Do not move your tongue except to say that which will earn you reward and that which behoves you to speak [of] openly.

51 ـ لاتُجْرِ لِسانَكَ إلاّ بِما يُكْتَبُ لَكَ أجْرُهُ، ويَجْمُلُ عَنْكَ نَشْرُهُ

52 . Never use the sharpness of your tongue against the one who has made you speak or the eloquence of your speech against the one who guides you [to the right path].

52 ـ لاتَجْعَلْ (لاتَجْعَلَنَّ) ذَرَبَ لِسانِكَ عَلى مَنْ أنْطَقَكَ، ولابَلاغَةَ قَوْلِكَ عَلى مَنْ سَدَّدَكَ

53 . The slips of the tongue cannot be controlled.

53 ـ لاتُمْلَكُ عَثَراتُ اللِّسانِ

54 . Nothing is more beneficial for a human being than guarding the tongue and doing good to others.

54 ـ لاشَيْءَ أعْوَدُ عَلَى الإنْسانِ مِنْ حِفْظِ اللِّسانِ، وَبَذْلِ الإحْسانِ

55 . This tongue is recalcitrant to its owner.

55 ـ هذَا اللِّسانُ جَمُوحٌ لِصاحِبِهِ

Notes

1. i.e. as long as he doesn’t speak, his intellect and personality remain hidden from others.

2. i.e. because of what one speaks.

3. i.e. the intelligent person ponders before speaking.

Courteousness

Courteousness-التلطُّف

1 . When you are the cause of someone’s affliction, it is obligatory upon you to show courtesy [and kindness] in trying to remedy his affliction.

1 ـ مَنْ كُنْتَ سَبَباً لَهُ في بَلائِهِ، وَجَبَ عَلَيْكَ التَّلَطُّفُ في عَلاجِ دائِهِ

Vain Talk

Vain talk-اللغو

1 . Many a vain talk results in evil [action].

1 ـ رُبَّ لَغْو يَجْلُبُ شَرّاً

Meeting

Meeting-اللقاء

1 . Good meetings strengthen the bond of brotherhood.

1 ـ حُسْنُ اللِّقاءِ يَزيدُ في تَأَكُّدِ الإخاءِ

2 . Good encounters (or meetings) are one of the two successes.

2 ـ حُسْنُ المَلْقاءِ (اللِّقاءِ) أحَدُ النُّجْحَيْنِ

Meeting Allah

Meeting Allah-لقاء اللّه

1 . One who loves to meet Allah, the Glorified, forgets this world.

1 ـ مَنْ أحَبَّ لِقاءَ اللّهِ سُبْحانَهُ سَلا عَنِ الدُّنْيا

Hinting

Hinting-التلويح

1 . One who settles for hinting [and indirect reference] becomes needless of declaration.

1 ـ مَنِ اكْتَفى بِالتَّلْويحِ اِسْتَغْنى عَنِ التَّصْريحِ

Reproach, Reprimand And Censure

Reproach, reprimand and censure-الملامة والعتاب والذّم

1 . Excessiveness in reproach ignites the fire of obstinacy.

1 ـ اَلاِفْراطُ فِي المَلامَةِ يَشُبُّ نارَ اللَّجاجَةِ

2 . The easiest thing is censuring the ignorant ones.1

2 ـ أهْوَنُ شَيْء لائِمَةُ الجُهّالِ

3 . When you [have to] censure [someone], make it short.

3 ـ إذا ذَمَمْتَ فَاقْتَصِرْ

4 . Many a person who is reproached has done nothing wrong.

4 ـ رُبَّ مَلُوم ولاذَنْبَ لَهُ

5 . When slips and errors increase, reproach increases.

5 ـ عِنْدَ كَثْرَةِ العِثارِ والزَّلَلِ تَكْثُرُ المَلامَةُ

6 . Blame may at times be beneficial.

6 ـ قَدْ يَنْجَعُ المَلامُ

7 . Reproof is one of the two punishments.

7 ـ اَلتَّقْريعُ أحَدُ العُقُوبَتَيْنِ

8 . Repetition of [the] reprimand is more severe than the pain of a beating.

8 ـ إعادَةُ التَّقْريعِ أشَدُّ مِنْ مَضَضِ الضَّرْبِ

9 . Too much reproof instils hatred in the hearts and alienates the companions.

9 ـ كَثْرَةُ التَّقْـريعِ تُوغِرُ القُلُوبَ، وتُوحِشُ الأصْحابَ

10 . One whose reproach increases, his disgrace increases.

10 ـ مَنْ كَثُرَ لَوْمُهُ كَثُرَ عارُهُ

11 . The blamer should not blame anyone but himself.

11 ـ لايَلُمْ لائِمٌ إلا ّ نَفْسَهُ

Notes

1. Or: The thing of least importance is the censure of the ignorant ones.

Amusement

Amusement-اللهو

1 . Amusement corrupts serious resolutions.

1 ـ اَللَّهْوُ يُفْسِدُ عَزائِمَ الجِدِّ

2 . Keep away from amusements for indeed you have not been created aimlessly so that you may be amused, and you have not been left without purpose so that you may indulge in vanities.

2 ـ أُهْجُرِ اللَّهْوَ فَإنَّكَ لَمْ تُخْلَقْ عَبَثاً فَتَلْهُوَ،وَ لَمْ تُتْرَكْ سُدىً فَتَلْغُوَ

3 . The furthest of all people from righteousness is one who is [excessively] fond of amusement.

3 ـ أبْعَدُ النّاسِ عَنِ الصَّلاحِ المُسْتَهْتَرُ بِاللَّهْوِ

4 . The beginning of amusement is play and its end is war.

4 ـ أوَّلُ اللَّهْوِ لَعْبٌ، وآخِـرُهُ حَرْبٌ

5 . The furthest of all people from prosperity is one who is fond of amusement and jest.

5 ـ أبْعَدُ النّاسِ مِنَ النَّجاحِ اَلمُسْتَهْتَرُ بِاللَّهْوِ والمَزاحِ

6 . Amusement is from the fruits of ignorance.

6 ـ اللَّهْوُ مِنْ ثِمارِ الجَهْلِ

7 . Amusement is the provision of foolishness.

7 ـ اَللَّهْوُ قُوتُ الحَماقَةِ

8 . Many an amusement alienates a freeman.

8 ـ رُبَّ لَهْو يُوحِشُ حُرّاً

9 . The worst thing that one’s lifetime can be wasted on is idle sport.

9 ـ شَرُّ ما ضُيِّعَ فيهِ العُمْرُ اللَّعْبُ

10 . One whose amusement increases is considered a fool.

10 ـ مَنْ كَثُرَ لَهْوُهُ اُسْتُحْمِقَ

11 . One whose amusement increases, his intelligence decreases.

11 ـ مَنْ كَثُرَ لَهْوُهُ قَلَّ عَقْلُهُ

12 . Whoever is overpowered by amusement, his seriousness is nullified.

12 ـ مَنْ غَلَبَ عَلَيْهِ اللَّهْوُ بَطَلَ جِدُّهُ

13 . Gatherings of amusement corrupt the faith.

13 ـ مَجالِسُ اللَّهْوِ تُفْسِدُ الإيمانَ

14 . Intellect [and wisdom] and idle play do not go together.

14 ـ لايَثُوبُ العَقْلُ مَعَ اللَّعْبِ

15 . One who takes pleasure in idle sport and is fond of amusement and entertainment does not become successful.

15 ـ لايُفْلِحُ مَنْ وَلِهَ بِاللَّعْبِ واسْتُهْتِرَ بِاللَّهْوِ والطَّرَبِ

Night And Day

Night and day-اللَّيل والنّهار

1 . The night and day are pursuing their courses in covering those who remain and wiping out the traces of those who have passed away.

1 ـ اَللَّيْلُ والنَّهارُ دائِبانِ في طَيِّ الباقينَ، ومَحْوِ آثارِ الماضينَ

2 . Verily your night and day are not enough to meet all your needs, so divide them between your work and your relaxation.

2 ـ إنَّ لَيْلَكَ ونَهارَكَ لايَسْتَوْعِبانِ لِجَميعِ حاجاتِكَ فَاقْسِمْها (فَاقْسِمْهُما) بَيْنَ عَمَلِكَ وراحَتِكَ

3 . Verily the night and day are working in you [by making you older] so work in them, and they are taking from you so take from them.

3 ـ إنَّ اللَّيْلَ والنَّهارَ يَعْمَلانِ فيكَ، فَاعْمَلْ فيهما، ويَأْخُذانِ مِنْكَ فَخُذْ مِنْهُما

4 . The succession of the night and day is the hiding place of calamities and the herald of separation [from loved ones].

4 ـ كُرُورُ اللَّيلِ والنَّهارِ مَكْمَنُ الآفاتِ وداعِى الشَّتاتِ

5 . The succession of days are [like] dreams, their pleasures are [causes of] agonies and their gifts are [fraught with] evanescence and maladies.

5 ـ كُرُورُ الأيّامِ أحْلامٌ، ولَذّاتُها آلامٌ، ومَواهِبُها فَناءٌ وأسْقامٌ

6 . One whose nights and days pass him by is made old by them.

6 ـ مَنْ عَطَفَ عَلَيْهِ اللَّيْلُ والنَّهارُ أبْلَياهُ

7 . One whose nights and days pass him by is chastised and afflicted, and brought closer to his death by them.

7 ـ مَنْ عَطَفَ عَلَيْهِ اللَّيْلُ والنَّهارُ أدَّباهُ وأبْلَياهُ، وإلَى المَنايا أدْنَياهُ

8 . Verily one whose riding mount is the night and day is carried [forward] by it even when he is stationary, and he traverses the distance even if he is settled in one place.

8 ـ إنَّ مَنْ كانَ مَطِيَّـتَهُ اللَّيلُ والنَّهارُ، فَإنَّهُ يُسارُ بِهِ وإنْ كانَ واقِفاً، وَيَقْطَعُ المَسافَةَ وإنْ كانَ مُقيماً وادِعاً

Gentleness And Softness

Gentleness and softness-اللّين واللَّيِّن

1 . Through gentleness, the souls feel at ease.

1 ـ بِلينِ الجانِبِ تَأْنَسُ النُّفُوسُ

2 . Be soft without being weak and stern without using force.

2 ـ كُنْ لَيِّناً مِنْ غَيْرِ ضَعْف، شَديداً مِنْ غَيْرِ عُنْف

3 . One whose nature is gentle, loving him is unavoidable.

3 ـ مَنْ لانَتْ عَريكَتُهُ وَجَبَتْ مَحَبَّتُهُ

4 . One whose wood is soft, his branches become thick.1

4 ـ مَنْ لانَ عُودُهُ كَثُفَتْ أغْصانُهُ

5 . One who has a gentle demeanour makes his community’s love [for him] last.

5 ـ مَنْ تَلِنْ حاشِيَتُهُ يَسْتَدِمْ مِنْ قَوْمِهِ المَحَبَّةَ

6 . One who is not lenient with the one who is under him will not obtain what he requires.

6 ـ مَنْ لَمْ يَلِنْ لِمَنْ دُونَهُ لَمْ يَنَلْ حاجَتَهُ

7 . Make your demeanour gentle and humble yourself in front of Allah, He will elevate you.

7 ـ ألِنْ كَنَفَكَ وتَواضَعْ لِلّهِ يَرْفَعْكَ

8 . Make your demeanour gentle for indeed whoever has a gentle demeanour, his community’s love [for him] will last.

8 ـ ألِنْ كَنَفَكَ فَإنَّ مَنْ يُلِنْ كَنَفَهُ يَسْتَدِمْ مِنْ قَوْمِهِ المَحَبَّةَ

Notes

1. Meaning that one who is gentle has many friends.

Distinction

Distinction-المجد

1 . erily distinction is nothing but your giving that which you owe [of the rights of others] and forgiving the offences [of others].

1 ـ إنَّما المَجْدُ أنْ تُعْطِيَ فِي الغُرْمِ، وتَعْفُوَ عَنِ الجُرْمِ

2 . He who has been forgone by praise does not attain distinction.

2 ـ لَمْ يُدْرِكِ المَجْدَ مَنْ عَداهُ الحَمْدُ

3 . He who has been forgone by praise will not acquire distinction.

3 ـ مانالَ المَجْدَ مَنْ عَداهُ الحَمْدُ

4 . One who lacks diligence does not attain distinction.

4 ـ ما أدْرَكَ المَجْدَ مَنْ فاتَهُ الجِدُّ

Tribulations

Tribulations-المحن

1 . Verily tribulations have certain extents that have to be passed so remain in slumber until they pass, for indeed trying to find a solution before this only increases [and prolongs] it.

1 ـ إنَّ لِلمِحَنِ غايات لابُدَّ مِنِ انْقِضائِها، فَنامُوا لَها إلى حينِ انْقِضائِها، فَإنَّ إعْمالَ الحيلَةِ فيها قَبْلَ ذلِكَ زِيادَةٌ لَها

2 . Verily tribulations have certain extents, and the extents have limits, so remain patient until you reach their limits, for trying to find a solution for them before they have passed only increases [and prolongs] them.

2 ـ إنَّ لِلْمِحَنِ غايات، ولِلْغاياتِ نِهايات، فَاصْبِرُوا لَها حَتّى تَبْلُغَ نِهاياتِها، فَالتَّحَرُّكُ لَها قَبْلَ اِنْقِضائِها زِيادَةٌ لَها

3 . Tribulation is linked with love of this world.

3 ـ اَلْمِحْنَةُ مَقْرُونَةٌ بِحُبِّ الدُّنْيا

4 . Tribulation has been linked to love of this world.

4 ـ قُرِنَتِ المِحْنَةُ بِحُبِّ الدُّنْيا

Praise And Extolment

Praise and extolment-المدح والثَّناء

1 . Be on your guard against excessive flattery and praise for indeed these two have a foul odour in the heart.

1 ـ اِحْتَرِسُوا مِنْ سَوْرَةِ الإطْراءِ والمَدْحِ، فَإنَّ لَهُما ريحاً خبيثَةً فِي القَلْبِ

2 . Beware of praising anyone for something that is not in him, for indeed his action affirms his attribute and belies you.

2 ـ إيّاكَ أنْ تُثْنِيَ عَلى أحَد بِما لَيْسَ فيهِ، فَإنَّ فِعْلَهُ يَصْدُقُ عَنْ وَصْفِهِ وَيُكَذِّبُكَ

3 . The ugliest truth is a person’s praise for himself.

3 ـ أقْبَحُ الصِّدْقِ ثَناءُ الرَّجُلِ عَلى نَفْسهِ

4 . Verily the person who praises you is surely a deceiver of your intellect, [and] a cheater who cheats you about yourself with false compliments and spurious praise; so if you deprive him of your grant or withhold from him your favour, he will label you with every scandal and will attribute every ugly act to you.

4 ـ إنَّ مادِحَكَ لَخادِعٌ لِعَقْلِكَ غاشٌّ لَكَ في نَفْسِكَ بِكاذِبِ الإطْراءِ وزُورِ الثَّناءِ، فَإنْ حَرَمْتَهُ نَوالَكَ أوْ مَنَعْتَهُ إفْضالَكَ، وَسَمَكَ بِكُلِّ فَضيحَة، ونَسَبَكَ إلى كُلِّ قَبيحَة

5 . Commendation causes vainglory and brings one closer to heedlessness.

5 ـ اَلإطْراءُ يُحْدِثُ الزَّهْوَ وَيُدْني مِنَ الغِرَّةِ

6 . When you praise, be brief.

6 ـ إذا مَدَحْتَ فَاخْتَصِرْ

7 . When one of the pious believers is extolled [for his virtues], he fears what is said about him, so he says: I know myself better than others, and my Lord knows me better than myself. O Allah! Do not hold me accountable for what they say and make me better than what they think of me.

7 ـ إذا زُكِّيَ أحَدٌ مِنَ المُتَّقينَ، خافَ مِمّا يُقالُ لَهُ فَيَقُولُ: أنَا أعْلَمُ بِنَفْسي مِنْ غَيْري، ورَبّي أعْلَمُ بِنَفْسي مِنّي، اَللّهُمَّ لاتُؤاخِذْني بِما يَقُولُونَ، واجْعَلْني أفْضَلَ مِمّا يَظُنُّونَ

8 . Recommendation of the evil ones is one of the greatest sins.

8 ـ تَزْكِيَةُ الأشْرارِ مِنْ أعْظَمِ الأَوْزارِ

9 . Love for compliments and praise is from the surest opportunities of Satan.

9 ـ حُبُّ الإطْراءِ والمَدْحِ مِنْ أوْثَقِ فُرَصِ الشَّيْطانِ

10 . The best praise is that which flows from the tongues of the righteous.

10 ـ خَيْرُ الثَّناءِ ما جَرى عَلى اَلْسِنَةِ الأبْرارِ

11 . The worst praise is that which flows from the tongues of the wicked.

11 ـ شَرُّ الثَّناءِ ما جَرى عَلى اَلْسِنَةِ الأشْرارِ

12 . Seeking praise without deserving it is foolishness.

12 ـ طَلَبُ الثَّناءِ بِغَيْرِ اسْتِحْقاق خُرْقٌ

13 . How many a person is thrilled by the praise showered upon him.

13 ـ كَمْ مِنْ مَفْتُون بِالثَّناءِ عَلَيْهِ

14 . Excessive praise is flattery; it causes vainglory and brings one closer to heedlessness.

14 ـ كَثْرَةُ الثَّناءِ مَلَقٌ يُحْدِثُ الزَّهْوَ ويُدْني مِنَ الغِرَّةِ

15 . Every praiser has the right to a good reward or a handsome gift from whom he praises.

15 ـ لِكُلِّ مُثْن عَلى مَنْ أثْنى عَلَيْهِ مَثُوبَةٌ مِنْ جَزاء أوعارِفَةٌ مِنْ عَطاءِ

16 . One who praises you has [actually] slaughtered you.

16 ـ مَنْ مَدَحَكَ فَقَدْ ذَبَحَكَ

17 . One who praises you for what is not in you is indeed likely to blame you for that which you have not done.

17 ـ مَنْ مَدَحَكَ بِما لَيْسَ فيكَ فَهُوَ خَليقٌ أنْ يَذُمُّكَ بِما لَيْسَ فيكَ

18 . One who is praised for that which is not in him is ridiculed by it.

18 ـ مَنْ أُثْنِيَ عَلَيْهِ بِما لَيْسَ فيهِ سُخِرَ بِهِ

19 . Whoever praises you for that which is not in you, then it is actually a criticism of you if you think about it.

19 ـ مَنْ مَدَحَكَ بِما لَيْسَ فيكَ فَهُوَ ذَمٌّ لَكَ إنْ عَقَلْتَ

20 . One of the ugliest blameworthy acts [of a person] is praising the wicked.

20 ـ مِنْ أقْبَحِ المَذامِّ مَدْحُ اللِّئامِ

21 . The one who praises a person for that which is not in him is mocking him.

21 ـ مادِحُ الرَّجُلِ بِما لَيْسَ فيهِ مُسْتَهْزِيٌ بِهِ

22 . The one who praises you for that which is not in you is [actually] mocking you, and if you do not give him that which fulfils his wants, he will be excessive in his blame and defamation of you.

22 ـ مادِحُكَ بِما لَيْسَ فيكَ مُسْتَهْزِيٌ بِكَ، فَإنْ لَمْ تُسْعِفْهُ بِنَوالِكَ بالَغَ في ذَمِّكَ وهِجائِكَ