Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 223

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:

مَنْ كَسَاهُ الْحَيَاءُ ثَوْبَهُ

Whomever modesty clothes with its dress

لَمْ يَرَ النَّاسُ عَيْبَهُ.

people cannot see his defects. 53

 

53. If a person adorns himself with the quality of modesty then it prevents him from committing evil acts. Therefore, he has no evil for the people to find in him. Even if a bad act is ever committed by him he does not commit it openly because of his feeling of modesty lest the people notice him.