Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 383

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:

احْذَرْ أَنْ يَرَاكَ اللهُ عِنْدَ مَعْصِيَتِهِ،

Fear lest Allah sees you while committing His sins

وَيَفْقِدَكَ عِنْدَ طَاعَتِهِ،

or misses you when it is time to obey Him

فَتَكُونَ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ،

and as a result thereof you become a loser.

وَإِذَا قَوِيتَ فَاقْوَ عَلَى طَاعَةِ اللهِ،

Therefore, when you are strong be strong in obeying Allah

وَإِذَا ضَعُفْتَ فاضْعُفْ عَنْ مَعْصِيَةِ اللهِ.

and when you are weak be weak in committing sins of Allah.