وَقَالَ (عليه السلام):
Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, said:
مَنْ أَبْطَأَ بِهِ عَمَلُهُ
Whomever his action detains behind,
لَمْ يُسْرِعْ بِهِ نَسَبُهُ.
his lineage cannot put him forward.
وفي رواية أُخْرى:
In another version it is thus:
مَنْ فَاتَهُ حَسَبُ نَفْسِهِ
Whoever misses personal attainment
لَمْ يَنْفَعْهُ حَسَبُ آبَائِهِ.
cannot be benefited by his forefathers' attainments.