Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The Ruler And Governer

The Ruler and Governer الحاكم والوالي

1. The generosity of rulers with booty belonging to the Muslims is [an act of] injustice and betrayal.

1ـ جُودُ الوُلاةِ بِفَيْءِ المُسْلِمينَ جَوْرٌ وخَتَرٌ.

2. A predatory animal that is rapacious and tears it prey apart is better than an unjust and oppressive ruler.

2ـ سَبُعٌ أكُولٌ حَطُومٌ، خَيْـرٌ مِنْ وال ظَلُوم غَشُوم.

3. The worst of rulers is one who is feared by the innocent.

3ـ شَـرُّ الوُلاةِ مَنْ يَخافُهُ البَرِيءُ.

4. One whose rule is oppressive, his regime collapses.

4ـ مَنْ جارَتْ وِلايـَتُهُ زالَتْ دَوْلَتُهُ.

5. One who is haughty in his rule, his disgrace is greater when he is deposed.

5ـ مَنْ تَـكَبَّرَ في وِلايـَتِهِ كَثُرَ عِنْدَ عَزْلِهِ ذِلَّتُهُ.

6. One who becomes vain in his rule exhibits his stupidity.

6ـ مَنِ اخْتالَ في وِلايـَتِهِ أبانَ عَنْ حَماقَتِهِ.

7. It is from the right of the shepherd to choose for his flock that which he chooses for himself.

7ـ مِنْ حَقِّ الرّاعِي أنْ يَخْتارَ لِرَعِيَتِّهِ ما يَخْتارُهُ

8. It is part of nobility that you [should] be attentive in fulfilling the rights of your subjects upon you and that you disregard any [of their] offences towards you.

8ـ مِنَ النُّبْلِ أنْ تَتَـيَقَّظَ لإيجابِ حَقِّ الرَّعِيَةِ إلَيْكَ،

9. An unjust and oppressive ruler is better than perpetual strife.

9ـ وال ظَلُومٌ غَشُومٌ، خَيْـرٌ مِنْ فِتْنَة تَدُومُ.

10. There is no oppression more severe than the oppression of a ruler.

10ـ لاجَوْرَ أفْظَعُ مِنْ جَوْرِ حاكِم.