One who reveals your faults to you like a mirror is your true friend, and one who flatters you and covers up your faults is your enemy. - Husayn ibn Ali

People are slaves to the world, and as long as they live favorable and comfortable lives, they are loyal to religious principles. However, at hard times, the times of trials, true religious people are scarce.

Oh God! Surely you know that whatever we did was not a competition to gain worldly positions and not for the worthless physical attractions of the world. But to show the signs of religious ways and to remove corruption from your lands, so that the oppressed feel secured and act according to your traditions and rules.

One who pursues a goal through sinful ways, will ironically distance himself from that goal, and will approach what he was afraid of.