Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib Quotes

The innumerable fools have made the learned very scarce.

Associating with the wise and the knowledgeable people adds to the prestige of a person.

The one from among the Muslims who recites the Qur'an but in the end finds his way to hell, is considerd to be among those that have taken the word of Allah in jest.

Obstinacy will prevent you from a correct decision.

Grief is half of old age.

Whoever wants to be a leader should educate himself before educating others. Before preaching to others he should first practice himself. Whoever educates himself and improves his own morals is superior to the man who tries to teach and train others.

Where are those who protect honour, and those self-respecting persons who defend respectable persons in the time of hardship? Shame is behind you while Paradise is in front of you.

The wise aim at perfection.

The ignorant man does not understand the learned for he has never been learned himself.

Misrepresentation spoils narration.

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

Value of a man depends upon his courage; his veracity depends upon his self-respect and his chastity depends upon his sense of honor.

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

Honesty is Divine language.

Nawf bin Fizala Bakali, the famous scholar of the early Islamic days says that one night he was with Imam Ali. In the middle of the night, Imam Ali got up from his bed, looked for sometime at the stars and inquired of Nawf whether he was awake. Nawf said: "I got from my bed replying, "Yes, Amirul Mo'minin (Commander of the Faithful) ! I am awake".