Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 79

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:

خُذِ الْحِكْمَةَ أَنَّى كَانَتْ

Take wise points from wherever they may be,

فَإِنَّ الْحِكْمَةَ تَكُونُ فِي صَدْرِ الْمُنَافِقِ

because if a wise saying is in the bosom of a hypocrite

فَتَلَجْلَجُ فِي صَدْرِهِ

it flutters in his bosom

حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ

till it comes out

فَتَسْكُنَ إِلَى صَوَاحِبِهَا

and settles with others of its own category

فِي صَدْرِ الْمُؤْمِن.

in the bosom of the believer.