Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 194

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

وكان عليه السلام يقول:

Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, used to say:

مَتَى أَشْفِي غَيْظِي إِذَا غَضِبْتُ؟

If I am angry when shall I vent my anger –

أَحِينَ أَعْجِزُ عَنِ الاْنْتِقَامِ

when I am unable to take revenge

فَيُقَالُ لِي:

and it be said to me,

لَوْ صَبَرْتَ؟

"better you endure"

أَمْ حِينَ أَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ

or when I have power to take revenge

فَيُقَالُ لي:

and it be said to me,

لَوْ عَفَوْتَ.

"better forgive"?