Ali ibn Abi Talib
Cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, as well as being the first Sh?‘ah Im?m and fourth Sunni Caliph.
To whatever extent a person's knowledge increases, his attention will be turned more towards his soul.
Allah, the Exalted, gave the angels intellect without desires, He gave the animals desires without intellect, and He gave both to the sons of Adam. So a man whose intellect prevails over his desires is better than the angels, whilst a man whose desire prevails over his intellect is worse than the animals.
There is no knowledge and science like pondering and thought; and there is no prosperity and advancement like knowledge and science.
There are three signs of a knowledgeable person: knowledge, forbearance and silence.
If you ever feel any pride or vanity on account of your sway and rule over your subjects then think of the supreme sway and rule of the Lord over the Universe, the extent of His creations, the supremacy of His Might and Glory, His Power to do things which you cannot even dream of doing and His control over you which is more dominating than that which you can ever achieve over anything around you. Such thoughts will cure your mental weakness, will keep you away from vanity and rebellion (against Allah), will reduce your arrogance and haughtiness and will take you back to the sanity which you had foolishly deserted... Try carefully to realize that a ruler can create goodwill in the minds of his subjects and can make them faithful and sincere to him only when he is kind and considerate to them, when he reduces their troubles, when he does not oppress them and when he never asks for things which are beyond their power. These are the principles which you should keep in mind and act upon".
Never say to yourself, "I am their Lord, their ruler and all in all over them and that I must be obeyed submissively and humbly" because such a thought will unbalance your mind, will make you vain and arrogant, will weaken your faith in religion and will make you seek support of any power other than that of Allah.
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.
The best companion and helper is admirable morals.
Two things cause people to be destroyed: fear of poverty and seeking superiority through pride.
Associating with the wise and the knowledgeable people adds to the prestige of a person.
There are so many highly esteemed ones who became miserable and humiliated just because of their bad temper and morals; and humble people who have attained eminence and the highest honors because of good temper and morals.
When wisdom reaches the acme of perfection, it will suppress the vicious instincts and injurious desires.
A friend cannot be considered a friend unless he is tested on three occasions: in time of need, behind your back, and after your death.
He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, while he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.
The weakest man is the one who is able to correct his moral defects, but doesn't take action.
Reciter and listener of the Qur'an are alike in prize and reward.
Fear only the will of God and you will have no cause to fear anyone else.
Do not hurry over punishments and do not be pleased and do not be proud of your power to punish.
There is no capital more useful than intellect and wisdom, and there is no indigence more injurious than ignorance and unawareness.
An alert and learned man will take advice from any event.