Chapter Ten: State Policies
10/1
Causes of Continuance of Governments
10/1 – 1
Establishing Justice
530. Imām Ali (a.s.) – when asked which of the two is better, justice or generosity: “Justice puts things in their places while generosity takes them out from their directions. Justice is the general guideline (that applies to the whole community and is essential for the survival of the society) while generosity is an exceptional case; consequently, justice is superior and more distinguished of the two.”1
531. Imām Ali (a.s.): “He who acts with justice, God will safeguard his kingdom.”2
532. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Observe justice and you will rule.”3
533. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Do justice to [be able to] govern.”4
534. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Nothing has safeguarded states like justice.”5
1.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Aphorism ۴۳۷, Rawdat al-Wā`izin, p. ۵۱۱.
2.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۸۷۲۲.
3.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۲۲۵۳, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۸۲, h. ۱۹۸۱.
4.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۲۲۲۳, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۷۸, h. ۱۸۸۶.
5.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۹۵۷۴, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۴۷۶, h. ۸۷۱۲.
