Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 263

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:

صَاحِبُ السُّلْطَانِ كَرَاكِبِ الاْسَدِ :

The holder of authority is like the rider on a lion –

يُغْبَطُ بِمَوْقِعِهِ،

he is envied for his position

وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَوْضِعِهِ.

but he well knows his position. 67

 

67. The intention is that if a person holds high position in the royal court people look at his rank and position and honour and prestige with envy, but he himself has always the fear lest the royal pleasure turns against him and he falls in the pit of disgrace and dishonour or death and destruction, like the rider on a lion with by whom people are awed, but he himself is ever facing the danger lest the lion devours him, or throws him in some fatal pit.