Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 200

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

وقال عليه السلام وقد أُتي بجانٍ ومعه غوغاءُ:

An offender was brought before Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, and there was a crowd of people with the man, so Amir al-mu'minin remarked:

لاَ مَرْحَباً بِوُجُوهٍ

Woe to the faces

لاَ تُرى

who are seen

إِلاَّ عِنْدَ كُلِّ سَوْأَةٍ.

only on foul occasions.