10/2 – 5
Violation of the Principles
615. Imām Ali (a.s.): “There are four reasons for states to decline: violating the principles, holding onto the secondary things, giving priority to the villainous and putting aside the elite.”1
616. Imām Ali (a.s.): “The coming to power of the villainous and the parvenu is an indication of its [the state’s] dissolution and decline.”2
617. Imām Ali (a.s.): “The decline of states lies in the employment of the basest of men.”3
10/3
Recommendations Concerning Socio-Political Relations
10/3 – 1
Comparing others with Oneself
618. Imām Ali (a.s.) – in his will to his son Hasan (a.s.): “What wise words are more comprehensive than [saying]: you should aspire for others what you aspire for yourself and to dislike for others what you dislike for yourself.”4
619. Imām Ali (a.s.): “It is the duty of the ruler to choose for his subjects what he chooses for himself.”5
620. Imām Ali (a.s.) – in his letter to Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr: “Long for your subjects whatever you long for yourself and
your household, and dislike for them whatever you dislike for yourself and your household.”6
1.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۱۰۹۵۶, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۵۵۰, h. ۱۰۱۵۷.
2.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۴۵۲۳, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۲۰۲, h. ۴۰۹۵.
3.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۵۴۸۶, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۲۷۵, h. ۴۹۹۸.
4.. Tuhaf al-`Uqul, p. ۸۱, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۷۷, p. ۲۰۸, h. ۱.
5.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۹۳۳۵, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۴۶۹, h,. ۸۵۶۲.
6.. al-Amāli by al-Mufid, p. ۲۶۹, h. ۳, Tuhaf al-`Uqul, p. ۱۸۰, al-Amāli by al-Tusi, p.۳۰, h. ۳۱, al-Ghārāt, vol. ۱, p. ۲۴۹.
