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

Good Character

Good Character الأخلاق

1. A refined character is one of the two blessings.

1ـ الخُلْقُ السَّجيحُ أحَدُ النِّعْمَتينِ.

2. The best thing is [good] character.

2ـ أحْسَنُ شَيْء اَلخُلْقُ.

3. The most honourable distinction is [good] character.

3ـ أكْرَمُ الحَسَبِ الخُلْقُ.

4. The best of qualities is honourable ambition.

4ـأحْسَنُ الشِّيَمِ شَرَفُ الهِمَمِ.

5. The most beautiful qualities are forbearance and chastity.

5ـ أزْيَنُ الشِّيَمِ اَلْحِلمُ والعِفافُ.

6. The purest of all people in lineage is the best of them in character.

6ـ أطْهَرُ النَّاسِ أعْراقاً أحْسَنُهُمْ أخْلاقاً.

7. The most pleased of all people is one whose character is agreeable.

7ـ أرْضَى النَّاسِ مَنْ كانَتْ أخْلاقُهُ رَضِيَّةً.

8. The best eminence is [in possessing] a beautiful character.

8ـ أحْسَنُ السَّناءِ الخُلْقُ السَّجيحُ.

9. The most honourable quality of the noble one is his feigning inattention [and ignorance] about that which he is aware [regarding the negative traits of others].

9ـ أشْرَفُ أخلاقِ الكَريمِ تَغافُلُهُ عَمَّا يَعْلَمُ.

10. The best of qualities are generosity, chastity and tranquillity.

10ـ أفْضَلُ الشِّيَمِ السَّخاءُ والعِفَّةُ والسَّكينَةُ.

11. The best of morals are those which drive you towards noble deeds.

11ـ أحْسَنُ الأخْلاقِ ما حَمَلَكَ عَلَى المَكارِمِ.

12. Verily Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, loves the person who is approachable [and courteous], of tolerant disposition and prompt in getting things done.

12ـ إنَّ اللّهَ سُبْحانَهُ وتعالى يُحِبُّ السَّهْلَ النَّفْسِ،

13. Verily it is from nobility of character to build ties with the one who cuts you off, to give one who deprives you and to forgive one who wrongs you.

13ـ إنَّ مِنْ مَكارِمِ الأخلاقِ: أنْ تَصِلَ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ، وتُعطِيَ

14. Noble traits are [acquired] through difficulties.

14ـ اَلمَكارِمُ بِالمَكارِهِ.

15. A praiseworthy character is one of the fruits of intelligence.

15ـ اَلخُلقُ المَحْمُودُ مِنْ ثِمارِ العَقْلِ.

16. He (‘a) said about those whom he praised: When they speak, they are truthful and when they are silent, they are not surpassed. When they look, they take lesson and when they turn away, they are not distracted. When they talk, they remember [Allah] and when they are quiet, they contemplate.

16ـ «وقالَ ـ عَليه السّلامُ ـ فيمَنْ أثْنى عَلَيْهِ »: إنْ نَطَقُوا

17. If you must compete with each other, then vie for [acquiring] desirable qualities and praiseworthy traits.

17ـ إنْ كُنْتُمْ لامُحالَةَ مُتَنافِسينَ فَتَنافَسُوا فِي الخِصالِ

18. One whose character is bad, his death is [considered a time of] happiness.

18ـ مَنْ ساءَتْ سَجِيَّتُهُ سَرَّتْ مَنِيَّتُهُ.

19. When the character is good, the speech becomes gentle.

19ـ إذا حَسُنَ الخُلْقُ لَطُفَ النُّطْقُ.

20. When there is an admirable quality in a man, then expect from him other such qualities.

20 ـ إذا كانَ فِي الرَّجُلِ خَلَّةٌ رائِقَةٌ فَانْتَظِرْ مِنْهُ

21. When the Qur’an calls you towards [acquiring] a beautiful quality, then compel yourself to adopt [a quality] like it.

21ـ إذا دَعاكَ القُرآنُ إلى خَلَّة جَميلَة فَخُذْ نَفْسَكَ

22. With good character, life becomes pleasant.

22ـ بِحُسْنِ الأخْلاقِ يَطيبُ العَيْشُ.

23. By [adopting] good character, sustenance becomes abundant.

23ـ بِحُسْنِ الأخْلاقِ تَدِرُّ الأرزاقُ.

24. Opting for the truth and keeping away from untruth is the most beautiful quality and the best etiquette.

24ـ تَحَريِّ الصِّدقِ، وتَجَنُّبُ الكِذْبِ، أجْمَلُ شيمَة وأفْضَلُ

25. Compete in acquiring [a] desirable character, great forbearance and lofty ideas, [and] your reward will become great.

25ـ تَنافَسُوا فِي الأخلاقِ الرَّغيبَةِ، والأحْلامِ العَظيمَةِ،

26. You should be zealous for praiseworthy qualities like protecting the [rights of the] neighbour, fulfilling the sureties, obedience to virtue and opposition to arrogance; and beautify yourselves with excellent traits.

26ـ تَعَصَّبُوا لِخِلالِ الحَمْدِ، مِنَ الحِفْظِ لِلْجارِ، والوَفاءِ

27. Choose for yourself the best from every character [trait], for indeed virtue is a habit.

27ـ تَخَيَّـرْ لِنَفْسِكَ مِنْ كُلِّ خُلْق أحْسَنَهُ، فَإنَّ الخَيْرَ

28. Good character is [an embellishment] for the soul and good appearance is [a beautification] for the body.

28ـ حُسْنُ الخُلقِ لِلنَّفسِ، وحُسْنُ الخَلْقِ لِلْبَدَنِ.

29. Adopting a good character is the best [means of following the] religion.

29ـ حُسْنُ الخُلقِ أفْضَلُ الدّينِ.

30. Good character is the best companion and self-conceit is a hidden ailment.

30ـ حُسْنُ الخُلقِ خَيْرُ قَرين، والعُجْبُ داءٌ دَفينٌ.

31. Good character is from the best allotment and the most virtuous of qualities.

31ـ حُسْنُ الخُلْقِ مِنْ أفْضَلِ القِسَمِ، وأحسَنِ الشِّيَمِ.

32. Good character is one of the two bounties [of Allah].

32ـ حُسْنُ الخُلقِ أحَدُ العَطائَينِ.

33. Good character is proof of an honourable ancestry.

33ـ حُسْنُ الأخْلاقِ بُرْهانُ كَرَمِ الأعْراقِ.

34. Good character increases sustenance and makes companions feel at ease.

34ـ حُسْنُ الأخْلاقِ يُدِرُّ الأرزاقَ، ويُونِسُ الرِّفاقَ.

35. Good character is the cornerstone of all virtuous acts.

35ـ حُسْنُ الخُلْقِ رَأسُ كُلِّ بِرّ.

36. Good character brings about adoration and strengthens love.

36ـ حُسْنُ الخُلقِ يُورِثُ المَحَبَّةَ ويُؤَكِّدُ المَوَدَّةَ.

37. The best character is the one that is furthest from obstinacy.

37ـ خَيْرُ الأخْلاقِ أبْعَدُها عَنِ اللَّجاجِ.

38. The best of qualities is the most agreeable of them.

38ـ خَيـْرُ الشِّيَمِ أرْضاها.

39. The best of attributes is kindness.

39ـ خَيْـرُ الَخلائِقِ الرِّفْقُ.

40. The best of all qualities is truthfulness in speech and noble actions.

40ـ خَيْـرُ الخِلالِ صِدْقُ المَقالِ، ومَكارِمُ الأفْعالِ.

41. The foundation of belief is [adopting a] good character and adorning oneself with the truth.

41ـ رَأسُ الإيمانِ حُسْنُ الخُلْقِ، والتَّحَلّي بِالصِّدقِ.

42. I had, in the past, a brother-in-faith and his view of the world as something insignificant made him great in my eyes. He was above being controlled by the needs of his appetency and thus he never craved for what he could not get nor would he ask for more of what he got. He was silent most of the time but when he spoke, he silenced the other speakers and quenched the thirst [for answers] of questioners. He was [apparently] weak and feeble but at the time of battle he was like the lion of the forest or the serpent of the valley. He would not put forth an argument unless it was decisive. He would not accuse anyone in an excusable matter until he had heard his excuse. He would not mention any suffering except after recovering from it. He would do as he says and not say that which he does not do [himself]. Even when (or if) he could be exceeded in speaking, he could not be excelled in silence. He was more eager to listen than he was to speak. When two things came before him, he would see which of the two was closer to vain desire and would oppose it. You should [all] adopt these qualities, thus acquire them and compete with each other in them. And if you cannot acquire them, you should know that acquiring a little is better than giving up plenty.

42ـ كانَ لي فيما مَضى أخٌ فِي اللّهِ وكانَ يُعَظِّمُهُ في عَيني صِغَرُ

43. Nothing gets constricted with good character.

43ـ لَمْ يَضِقْ شَيْءٌ مَعَ حُسْنِ الخُلقِ.

44. One whose character is noble, his sustenance is increased.

44ـ مَنْ كَرُمَ خُلْقُهُ اِتَّسَعَ رِزْقُهُ.

45. One whose qualities are good, his companionship is pleasant.

45ـ مَنْ حَسُنَتْ خَليقَتُهُ طابَتْ عِشرَتُهُ.

46. One whose character is good, his ways become easy.

46ـ مَنْ حَسُنَ خُلْقُهُ سَهُلَتْ لَهُ طَرُقُهُ.

47. One whose character is good, more people adore him and feel at ease with him.

47ـ مَنْ حَسُنَ خُلْقُهُ كَثُرَ مُحِبُّوهُ، وأنَسَتِ النُّفُوسُ بِهِ.

48. Allah, the Glorified, does not give a servant anything from the good of this world or the Hereafter but because of his good character and his good intention.

48ـ ما أعْطَى اللّهُ سُبْحانَهُ العَبْدَ شَيْئاً مِنْ خَيرِ الدُّنيا

49. The best distinction is good character.

49ـ نِعْمَ الحَسَبُ حُسْنُ الخُلْقِ.

50. The best trait is [having a] good character.

50ـ نِعْمَ الشّيمَةُ حُسْنُ الخُلْقِ.

51. The best [form of] faith is a beautiful character.

51ـ نِعْمَ الإيمانُ جَميلُ الخُلْقِ.

52. The hidden aspects of [one’s] character are uncovered by [companionship and] social interaction.

52ـ خَوافِي الأخْلاقِ تـَكْشِفُهَا المُعاشَََرةُ.

53. The pinnacle of knowledge is distinguishing between character traits, manifesting the praiseworthy among them and suppressing the blameworthy among them.

53ـ رَأسُ الْعِلْمِ التَّميزُ بَيْنَ الأخْلاقِ وإظْهارِ مَحْمُودِها

54. The adornment of [all] traits is being careful [in fulfilling] the sureties.

54ـ زَيْنُ الشِّيَمِ رَعْىُ الذِّمَمِ.

55. Six things are used to gauge the character of men: [their behaviour in times of] happiness and anger, security and fear, deprivation and desire.

55ـ سِتَّةٌ تـُخْتَبَرُ بها أخْلاقُ الرِّجالِ: الرِّضا، والغضَبُ،

56. You must adopt a good character for this will earn you adoration [of others].

56ـ عَلَيْكَ بِحُسْنِ الخُلقِ فَإنَّهُ يُكْسِبُكَ المَحَبَّةَ.

57. In good character, there are treasures of [blessings and] sustenance.

57ـ في سَعَةِ الأخْلاقِ كُنُوزُ الأرْزاقِ.

58. Everything is possible except [changing and] transferring of natural dispositions [of character and personality].

58ـ كُلُّ شَيْء يُسْتَطاعُ إلاَّ نَقْلَ الطِّباعِ.

59. How many a lowly person has been elevated by his good character!

59ـ كَمْ مِنْ وَضيع رَفَعَهُ حُسْنُ خُلْقِهِ.

60. Whoever does not make his character good, his companion will not benefit from him.

60ـ مَنْ لَمْ يُحسِنْ خُلْقَهُ لَمْ يَنْتَفِعْ بِهِ قَرينُهُ.

61. One whose attributes are not good, his [methods and] ways will not be praised.

61ـ مَنْ لَمْ تُحسَنْ خَلائِقُهُ لَمْ تُـحْمَدْ طَرائِقُهُ.

62. There is no companion like good character.

62ـ لاقرينَ كَحُسْنِ الخُلقِ.

63. There is no life more satisfying than [one lived with] good character.

63ـ لاعَيْشَ أهْنَأُ مِنْ حُسْنِ الخُلْقِ.

64. When you see in others a quality which is objectionable, then keep similar qualities away from yourself.

64ـ إذا رَأيتَ في غَيرِكَ خُلْقاً ذَميماً فَتَجَنَّبْ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ

65. Verily your natural disposition invites you towards that which you are familiar with.

65ـ إنَّ طِباعَكَ تَدْعُوكَ إلى ما ألِفْتَهُ.

66. Indeed these natural dispositions are different, and the best of them is the furthest of them from evil.

66ـ إنَّ هذِهِ الطَّبايِـعَ مُتَبايِنَةٌ، وخَيْرُها أبْعَدُها مِنَ

67. Verily only the dispositions of the virtuous are dispositions that have the potential of supporting good, so whenever they are laden with it, they carry it.

67ـ إنَّما طَبايِـعُ الأبرارِ طَبايِـعُ مُحْتَمِلَةٌ لِلْخَيْرِ،

68. He (‘a) said about the one whom he censured: If he falls sick he regrets having abandoned the work and if he is healthy, he feels secure and delays the work. When he is called to cultivate for this world, he works and when he is called to cultivate for the Hereafter, he is lazy. If he becomes wealthy, he turns arrogant and falls into vice and if he becomes poor, he despairs and becomes weak. If a favour is done to him, he is ungrateful and if he does a favour, he lengthens it and makes it seem like [a great favour and] an obligation. If an evil deed presents itself to him, he commits it with the excuse of seeking repentance [for it later] but when he decides to repent, he delays it and persists in sinning. If he experiences wellbeing, he assumes that he has repented. If he is distressed, he thinks [ill of Allah] and doubts [in Him]. If he falls ill he devotes himself and turns repentantly [to Allah] but if he regains his health, he forgets and returns [to his evil ways] and becomes emboldened in his injustice towards the servants [of Allah]. When he is secure, he is allured by the temptations of this world, so he forgets the Hereafter and is negligent of the Resurrection [on the Day of Judgment].

68ـ وقالَ ـ عليهِ السّلامُ ـ في حقِّ مَنْ ذَمَّهُ: إنْ سَقِمَ فَهُوَ

69. When you see in others a quality which is objectionable, then keep similar qualities away from yourself.

69ـ إذا رَأيْتَ في غَيْرِكَ خُلْقاً ذَميماً فَتَجَنَبْ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ

70. The worst quality is treachery.

70ـبِئسَ السَّجِيَّةُ الغُلُولُ.

71. A person’s distance from vice is [the source of his] magnanimity.

71ـ بُعدُ المَرْءِ عَنِ الدَّنيَّةِ فُتُوَّةٌ.

72. Keep away from miserliness and hypocrisy, for these two are from the most reprehensible qualities.

72ـ تَجَنَّبُوا البُخْلَ والنِّفاقَ، فَهُما مِنْ أذَمِّ الأخلاقِ.

73. Keep away from the worst of every character trait and struggle with yourself in keeping away from it, for indeed evil is obstinate.

73ـ تَجَنَّبْ مِن كُلِّ خُلْق أسْوَأَهُ، وجاهِدْ نَفْسَكَ على

74. Two attributes never come together in the heart of a believer: bad character and miserliness.

74ـ خَلَّتانِ لا تَجتَمِعانِ في قَلبِ مُؤمِن: سُوءُ الخُلقِ والبُخْلُ.

75. Bad character is inauspicious and offending a benefactor is wickedness.

75ـ سُوءُ الخُلْقِ شُؤْمٌ، والإساءَةُ إلَى المُحسِنِ لُؤْمٌ.

76. Bad character is the worst companion.

76ـ سُوءُ الخُلْقِ شَرُّ قَرين.

77. Bad character alienates the near one and repels the distant one.

77ـ سُوءُ الخُلْقِ يُوحِشُ القَريبَ، ويُنَفِّرُ البَعيدَ.

78. Bad character makes life bitter and is a torment for the soul.

78ـ سُوءُ الخُلْقِ نَـكَدُ العَيْشِ وعَذابُ النَّفسِ.

79. The attributes that lead to evil are lying, stinginess, injustice and ignorance.

79ـ الخِلالُ المُنْتِجَـةُ لِلشَرِّ الكِـذْبُ، والبُخْلُ، والجَوْرُ،

80. Bad character alienates the soul and removes amiability.

80ـ سُوءُ الخُلقِ يُوحِشُ النَّفْسَ ويَرْفَعُ الأُنْسَ.

81. The worst qualities are dishonesty and hypocrisy.

81ـ شَرُّ الأخلاقِ الكِذْبُ والنِّفاقُ.

82. The worst of habits is lying.

82ـ شَرُّ الشِّيَمِ الكِذْبُ.

83. A vice may debase [the one who commits it].

83ـ قَدْ تُزْري الدَّنِيَّةُ.

84. Every malady has a cure except bad character.

84ـ كُلُّ داء يُداوى إلاَّ سُوءُ الخُلْقِ.

85. One who is rude by nature, his surroundings are deserted.

85ـ مَنْ خَشُنَتْ عَريكَتُهُ أقْفَرَتْ حاشِيَتُهُ.

86. One whose character is bad torments his [own] soul.

86ـ مَنْ ساءَ خُلْقُهُ عَذَّبَ نَفْسَهُ.

87. One whose character is bad, his [own] family becomes fed up with him.

87ـ مَنْ ساءَ خُلْقُهُ مَلَّهُ أهْلُهُ.

88. One who is of bad character is detested by his companion and associate.

.88ـ مَنْ ساءَ خُلْقُهُ قَلاهُ مُصاحِبُهُ ورَفيقُهُ.

89. One who is of bad character lacks friends and associates.

89ـ مَنْ ساءَ خُلْقُهُ أعْوَزَهُ الصَّديقُ، والرَّفيقُ.

90. It is from bad character to be stingy and abusive in demanding your right.

90ـ مِنْ سُوءِ الخُلْقِ البُخْلُ، وسُوءُ التَّقاضي.

91. Be wary of jesting, playing, excessive joking, [excessive] laughing, and vain talks.

91ـ اِحْذَرِ الهَزْلَ، واللَّعْبَ، وكَثْرَةَ المَزْحِ، والضِّحْكِ،

92. Be cautious of the bellows of arrogance, the dominance of zealotry and the bigotry of the age of ignorance.

92ـ اِحْذَروُا مَنافِخَ الكِبْرِ، وغَلَبَةَ الحَمِيَّةِ، وتَعَصُّبَ

93. Beware of a wicked heart, corruption of intention, embarking on vice and the deception of [false] aspiration.

93ـ إيّاكَ وخُبْثَ الطَّوِيَّةِ، وإفْسادَ النِّيَّةِ، ورُكوبَ

94. The most detestable of morals is treachery.

94ـ أقبَحُ الأخْلاقِ الخِيانَةُ.

95. The most wicked characteristic is spite.

95ـ اَلأَمُ الخُلْقِ الحِقْدُ.

96. The worst of morals is adorning oneself with vices.

96ـ أسْوَءُ الخَلائِقِ اَلتَّحَلّي بِالرَّذائِلِ.

97. A dispraised character is from the fruits of ignorance.

97ـ اَلخُلقُ المَذْمُومُ مِنْ ثِمارِ الجَهْلِ.

98. How detestable are the traits of the vile and how good are the qualities of the honourable!

98ـ ما أقْبَحَ شِيَمَ اللِّئامِ، وأحسَنَ سَجايَا الكِرامِ.

99. Being close to the people in their morals [and habits] is a safeguard from their malice.

99ـ مُقارَبَةُ الرِّجالِ في خَلائِقِهِمْ أمْنٌ مِنْ غَوائِلِهِمْ.

100. There is no good in a character that is not adorned with forbearance.

100ـ لا خَيْرَ في خُلْق لا يَزينُهُ حِلْمٌ.

101. There is no good in the trait of arrogance, haughtiness and pride.

101ـ لا خَيْرَ في شيمَةِ كِبْر، وتَجَبُّر، وفَخْر.

102. There is no life for the one who has a bad character.

102ـ لاعَيْشَ لِسَيِّيءِ الخُلْقِ.

103. There is no loneliness worse than [that which is brought about by] bad character.

103ـ لا وَحْشَةَ أوْحَشُ مِنْ سُوءِ الخُلقِ.

104. The one who has a bad character is very impetuous and has a bitter life.

104ـ اَلسَّيِّيُ الخُلقِ كَثيِرُ الطَّيْش مُنَغِّصُ العَيْشِ.

105. A bad character is one of the two torments.

105ـ اَلخُلقُ السَّـيِّءُ أحَدُ العَذابَينِ.

106. One who makes his character bad, torments his [own] soul.

106ـ مَنْ أساءَ خُلْقَهُ عَذَّبَ نَفْسَهُ.

107. One whose character is bad, his [own] family becomes fed up with him.

107ـ مَنْ ضاقَ خُلْقُهُ مَلَّهُ أهْلُهُ.

108. One whose character is bad, his sustenance is restricted.

108ـ مَنْ ساءَ خُلْقُهُ ضاقَ رِزْقُهُ.

109. One who does not affirm his past (i.e. the good character of his forefathers) with his present (i.e. his own good character), disgraces his predecessor and betrays his successor.

109ـ مَنْ لَمْ يُؤَكِّد قَديمَهُ بِحَديثِهِ، شانَ سَلَفَهُ وخانَ