Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 101

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:

لَا يَسْتَقِيمُ قَضَاءُ الْحَوَائِجِ إِلَّا بِثَلَاثٍ

Fulfilment of (others') needs becomes a lasting virtue in three ways:--

بِاسْتِصْغَارِهَا لِتَعْظُمَ

regarding it small so that it attains bigness,

وَ بِاسْتِكْتَامِهَا لِتَظْهَرَ

concealing it so that it may manifest itself,

وَ بِتَعْجِيلِهَا لِتَهْنُؤَ .

and doing it quickly so that it becomes pleasant.