The sermon of ‘Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, called the Sermon of Means and Connections — Hadith 1

r a long time, and very little of what is wished is sincere. Modesty clothes you with dignity, and in the extensiveness of the morals is a treasure for the sustenance, and how many from the people remain in their sins until the end of their days. And the one who robes himself with bashfulness as his clothing his faults are hidden from the people. And intend moderation in your speech, for the one who intends it will incur light expenses, and in the opposition to the ego is guidance for you. And the one who recognises the ‘days’ (his end) will never be oblivious from the preparation. Nay! Along with every sip (of drink) is (possibility of) choking, and in every morsel is (the possibility of) suffocation. Bounties cannot be achieved except by the decline of other (bounties), and for every breath is life, and for every grain is a consumer, and you are the morsel of the death. And know, O you people! The ones who walks upon the face of the earth will end up in its belly, and the nights and the days, they dispute (they accelerate) regarding the destruction of the life-span. O you people! Ingratitude for the bounties is wickedness, and the company of the ignorant is ominous. The softness of the speech is from the prestige. And from the (acts of) worship are displayed by the tongue (make it heard) and increase the greetings. Beware of deceit for it is from the manners of the villains. Every seeker does not get a share, nor does every absentee return. Its not certain that one will get what he wishes and the lost is recovered. Seek (the company) of friends before setting of and ensure (good) neighbourhood before (moving into) the house. Indeed! The one who moves fast will catche up with the slower ones. Conceal the private (matters) of your brother just as he knows regarding you. Forgive the mistakes of your friend for the day that your enemy comes to dominate you. The one who is angry with the one over whom he has no power to injure, his grief would be prolonged and it will punish his soul. The one who fears his Lord (azwj) will refrain from committing injustices. The one who is good with the words would display his pride. And the one who does not recognise the good from the evil, is like an animal. Indeed the corruption destroys the provisions (of the Hereafter). How little is the difficulty (of today) as compared with the great destitution tomorrow. Far it is! Far it is from being compared. And what is your antipathy due to, except for your indulgence in acts of disobedience and the sins. So how close is the rest to the tiredness,