وَقَالَ (عليه السلام):
Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, said:
مَنْ نَصَبَ نَفْسَهُ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَاماً
Whoever places himself as a leader of the people
فَعَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَبْدَأَ بِتَعْلِيمِ نَفْسِهِ
should commence with educating his own self
قَبْلَ تَعْلِيمِ غَيْرِهِ،
before educating others;
وَلْيَكُنْ تَأْدِيبُهُ بِسِيرَتِهِ
and his teaching should be by his own conduct
قَبْلَ تَأْدِيبِهِ بِلِسَانِهِ،
before teaching by the tongue.
وَمُعَلِّمُ نَفْسِهِ وَمُؤَدِّبُهَا
The person who teaches and instructs his own self
أَحَقُّ بِالاْجْلاَلِ مِنْ مُعَلِّمِ النَّاسِ وَمُؤَدِّبِهِمْ.
is more entitled to esteem then he who teaches and instructs others.
