261. Imām ‘Ali (a.s.), from the wise sayings attributed to him: “A wise person should remember the bitterness of medicine when tasting the sweetness of food.”1
262. al-Khisāl: “The Commander of the Faithful ‘Ali ibn Abu Tālib (a.s.) said to his son Hasan (a.s.): “O my son! Should I teach you four things that with them you will have no need for medicine?”
He (a.s.) said: “Yes, O Commander of the Faithful!”
The Imām said: “Do not begin eating unless you are hungry, do not leave it unless you are still willing to eat from it, chew [the food] well, and go to the toilet before going to bed. If you apply these four points you will not need medicine.”2
263. Imām ‘Ali (a.s.) said: “Eating less will hinder many sicknesses of the body.”3
264. Imām ‘Ali (a.s.) said: “He who plants in himself the love of different varieties of food will reap the fruits of different diseases.”4
265. Imām ‘Ali (a.s.) said: “Many a time has one eating hindered many eatings.”5
H- Moral Wisdoms:
266. Ma‘āni al-Akhbār, narrating from Shurayh ibn Hāni who said: “The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) asked his son Hasan ibn
‘Ali: “My son! What is wisdom?” He answered: “Preserving that which you have entrusted to your heart.” He asked again: “What is prudence?” His son answered: “That you wait for the opportunity to come and hasten [to it] when you can.” He [Imām ‘Ali] (a.s.) asked: “What is magnitude?” He answered: “Tolerating the losses and adopting generosities.” He asked: “What is generosity?” He answered: “Responding to one who asks and the donating of he who has gained.” He asked: “What is stinginess?” He answered: “Considering a little thing given as prodigality and what has been spent in charity as wasted.” He asked: “What is mildness?” He answered: “Demanding little and abandoning what is worthless.” He asked: “What is formality?” He answered: “Relying on someone who does not secure you, and pinning hopes on what does not have benefit for you.” He asked: “What is ignorance?” He answered: “It is to hasten for the opportunities before their time and to refrain from answering. The best helper in many occasions is silence, even if you are an eloquent speaker.” Then Imām ‘Ali –praises of Allah be upon him- turned to his son Husain and asked him: “O my son! Who is called master?”
He answered: “One who lives in harmony with one’s family and tolerates problems.”
He asked: “What is needlessness?” He answered: “Having modest hopes and being content with what is enough for you.”
‘Ali (a.s.) asked: “What is neediness?” He answered: “Greediness and extreme despair.”
He (a.s.) asked: “What is being mean?” He answered: “It is selfishness and giving up the chastity [of the family].” The Imām (a.s.) asked: “What is foolishness?” He answered: “Your enmity against your commander and to those who can harm you or benefit you.”
Then the Imām (a.s.) turned his face to Hārith al-Ahwal and said: “O Hārith! Teach these wisdoms to your children, for they increase intellect, farsightedness and wisdom.”6
1.. Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah, vol. ۲۰, p. ۲۷۲, h. ۱۴۹.
2.. al-Khisāl, p. ۲۲۹, h. ۶۷, narrating from al-Asbagh ibn Nabātah. al-Da‘awāt, p. ۷۴, h. ۱۷۳. Tibb al-A'immah by Ibn Bastām, p. ۳. Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۶۲, p. ۲۶۷, h. ۴۲.
3.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۶۷۶۸. ‘Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā‘iz, p. ۳۷۰, h. ۶۲۴۸.
4.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۹۲۱۹. ‘Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā‘iz, p. ۴۲۶, h. ۷۲۱۹.
5.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Wise Saying ۱۷۱. Khasā'is al-A'immah, p. ۱۱۰. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۶۹۳۳. Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۷۳, p. ۱۶۶, h. ۲۹.
6.. Ma‘āni al-Akhbār, p. ۴۰۱, h. ۶۲ in Tuhaf al-‘Uqul, p. ۲۲۵. al-‘Adad al-Qawiyah, p. ۳۲, h. ۲۲. al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir, vol. ۳, p. ۶۸, h. ۲۶۸۸. Tārikh Dimashq, vol. ۱۳, p. ۲۵۵.
