Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 260-2

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. Section Wherein We Have Included Selections from Wonderful Sayings, Which Require Explanation
Translated by Sayyid Ali Reza

وفي حديثه عليه السلام :

A tradition of Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, says:

هذَا الْخَطِيبُ الشَّحْشَحُ.

He is a versatile speaker. 65

يريد: الماهر بالخطبة الماضي فيها، وكل ماض في كلام أو سير فهو شحشح، والشحشح في غير هذاالموضع: البخيل الممسك

As-Sayyid ar-Radi says: "shahshah" means one expert and free in speech, and everyone who is free in speech or walking is called "shahshah", while in another sense this word means a miserly and niggardly person.