GOLDEN WORDS OF "GATEWAY OF KNOWLEDGE" - IMAM ALI (A.S.) - 1

According to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.), He was the city of Knowledge and Imam Ali (a.s.) was the Gateway of Knowledge. His gem-like sayings are numerous but some of them are reproduced below:

1. He who is greedy is disgraced; he who discloses his hardships will always be humiliated; he who has no control over his tongue will often have to face discomfort.
2. Avarice is disgrace; cowardice is a defect; poverty often disables an intelligent man from arguing his case; a poor man is a stranger in his own town; misfortunes and helplessness are calamities; patience is a kind of bravery; to severe attachments with the wicked world is the greatest wealth; piety is the best weapon of the defense.
3. Submission to Allah’s will is the best companion; wisdom is the noblest heritage; theoretical and practical knowledge are the best signs of distinction; deep thinking will present the clearest picture of every problem.
4. The mind of a wise man is the safest custody of secrets; cheerfulness is the key to friendship; patience and forbearance will conceal many defects.
5. A conceited and self-admiring person is disliked by others; charity and alms are the best remedy for ailments and calamities; one has to account for in the next world for the deeds he has done in this world.
6. Man is a wonderful creature; he sees through the layers of fat (the eyes), hears through a bone (ears) and speaks through a lump of flesh (tongue)!
7. When this world favors some body, it lends him the attributes, and surpassing the merits of others and when it turns its face away from him it snatches away even his own excellence and fame.
8. Live among the people in such a manner that if you die they weep over you and if you are alive they crave for your company.
9. If you overpower you enemy, then pardon him by way of thankfulness to Allah, for being able to subdue him.
10. Unfortunate is he who cannot gain few sincere friends during his life time and more unfortunate is he who has gained them and then lost them (through his deeds)
11. When some blessings come to you, do not drive them away through thanklessness.
12. He who is deserted by his friends and relatives will often find help and sympathy from strangers.
13. Our affairs are attached to the Destiny decreed by Allah; even our best plans may lead us to destruction.
14. One, who rushes madly towards inordinate desires, runs the risk of encountering destruction and death.
15. Overlook and forgive the weaknesses of generous people because if they fall down, Allah will help them.
16. Failures are often the result of timidity and fear; disappointments are the result of bashfulness; hours of leisure pass away like summer-clouds, therefore do not waste opportunity of doing good deeds.
17. If someone’s deeds lower his position, his ancestry cannot elevate it.

Reference: Nahjul Balagha