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

Reproach, Reprimand And Censure

Reproach, reprimand and censure-الملامة والعتاب والذّم

1. Excessiveness in reproach ignites the fire of obstinacy.

1ـ اَلاِفْراطُ فِي المَلامَةِ يَشُبُّ نارَ اللَّجاجَةِ.

2. The easiest thing is censuring the ignorant ones.[^1]

2ـ أهْوَنُ شَيْء لائِمَةُ الجُهّالِ.

3. When you [have to] censure [someone], make it short.

3ـ إذا ذَمَمْتَ فَاقْتَصِرْ.

4. Many a person who is reproached has done nothing wrong.

4ـ رُبَّ مَلُوم ولاذَنْبَ لَهُ.

5. When slips and errors increase, reproach increases.

5ـ عِنْدَ كَثْرَةِ العِثارِ والزَّلَلِ تَكْثُرُ المَلامَةُ.

6. Blame may at times be beneficial.

6ـ قَدْ يَنْجَعُ المَلامُ.

7. Reproof is one of the two punishments.

7ـ اَلتَّقْريعُ أحَدُ العُقُوبَتَيْنِ.

8. Repetition of [the] reprimand is more severe than the pain of a beating.

8ـ إعادَةُ التَّقْريعِ أشَدُّ مِنْ مَضَضِ الضَّرْبِ.

9. Too much reproof instils hatred in the hearts and alienates the companions.

9ـ كَثْرَةُ التَّقْـريعِ تُوغِرُ القُلُوبَ، وتُوحِشُ الأصْحابَ.

10. One whose reproach increases, his disgrace increases.

10ـ مَنْ كَثُرَ لَوْمُهُ كَثُرَ عارُهُ.

11. The blamer should not blame anyone but himself.

11ـ لايَلُمْ لائِمٌ إلا ّ نَفْسَهُ.

[^1]: Or: The thing of least importance is the censure of the ignorant ones.