Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 10

Selections from The Sayings and Preaching of Amir al-Muminin Ali ibn Abi Talib (Peace Be Upon Him) Including His Replies to Questions and Maxims Expressed for Various Purposes
Translated by Sayyid Ali Reza

وَقَالَ (عليه ‏السلام):

Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, said:

خَالِطُوا النَّاسَ مُخَالَطَةً

Meet people in such a manner that

إِنْ مِتُّمْ مَعَهَا بَكَوْا عَلَيْكُمْ

if you die they should weep for you

وَ إِنْ عِشْتُمْ حَنُّوا إِلَيْكُمْ.

and if you live they should long for you. 5

 

5. To the person who behaves with others with benignity and manner-liness, people extend their hand of cooperation, they honour and respect him and shed tears after his death. Therefore, a person should lead such an agreeable life that no one should have any complaint against him, nor should any harm be caused by him to anyone so that during life he should attract others and after death too he should be remembered in good words