وَقَالَ (عليه السلام):
Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, said:
احْذَرُوا صَوْلَةَ الْكَرِيمِ إذَا جَاعَ،
Fear the attack of a noble person when he is hungry,
واللَّئِيمِ إِذَا شَبِعَ.
and that of an ignoble person when he is satiated. 19
19. The meaning is that a man of prestige and esteem never tolerates humiliation or disgrace. If his honour is assailed, he will leap like a hungry lion and break away the shackles of humiliation. If a low and narrow minded person is raised beyond his name he would not be able to contain himself but, regarding himself very high, will assail other's position.
