Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib Quotes

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

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

Remember that this world which you covet so ardently and attempt to acquire so earnestly, and which sometimes annoys you and sometimes pleases you so much, is neither your home nor a permanent destination. You have not been created for it, nor invited to it as your resting-place. It shall neither remain with you for ever, nor will you remain in it eternally. If it has enticed you away with its charrns, it has also warned and cautioned you of real dangers lurking in its folds. Take account of the warnings it has given you and do not be seduced or deceived by its allurements. Let these warnings frighten you from being too greedy to possess it. Try to advance towards the place where you are invited for eternal bliss and turn your face away from the vicious world.

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

If matters get mixed up then scrutinize the cause and you will know what the effects will be.

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

Practice makes knowledge perfect.

So now, surely this world has turned its back and announced its departure while the next world has appeared forward and proclaimed its approach. Today is the day of preparation while tomorrow is the day of race. The place to proceed to is Paradise while the place of doom is Hell. Is there no one to offer repentance over his faults before his death? Or is there no one to perform virtuous acts before the day of trial?

I appreciate an old man's cautious opinion more than the valor of a young man.

The innumerable fools have made the learned very scarce.

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

It is wiser to abstain than to repent.

Knowledge gives life to the soul.

O son of Adam, if you have collected anything in excess of your actual need, you will act only as its trustee for someone else to use it.

Loving one another is half of wisdom.