324. Imām Ali (a.s.): “There are three traits that if they were possessed by any of the leaders, he would deserve to be regarded as a trustworthy leader: to be just in his judgments, not to veil himself from his subjects and to execute God’s ordinances [equally] concerning the acquaintances and the strangers.”1
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Tolerating Difficulties Caused by People
325. Imām Ali (a.s.): “He who does not tolerate the cost of people’s provision is preparing to hand over power [to someone else].”2
326. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Tolerance is the adornment of politics (rule).”3
327. Imām Ali (a.s.) – in the aphorisms attributed to him: “He who manages to direct his soul to be patient about the ignorance of the people deserves to become a ruler.”4
328. Imām Ali (a.s.): “When you become a ruler, be lenient.”5
329. Imām Ali (a.s.): “The foundation of politics is to practice leniency.”6
330. Imām Ali (a.s.): “The best of politics is leniency.”7
331. Imām Ali (a.s.): “He who acts with leniency will be successful.”8
332. Imām Ali (a.s.): “He who is not lenient to those inferior to him will not achieve his desires.”9
1.. Kanz al-`Ummāl, vol. ۵, p. ۷۶۴, h. ۱۴۳۱۵.
2.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۸۹۸۲.
3.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۷۷۲, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۲۴, h. ۲۱۹.
4.. Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah, vol. ۲۰, p. ۳۱۸, h. ۶۵۶.
5.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۳۹۷۴, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۱۳۳, h. ۲۹۹۸.
6.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۵۲۶۶, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۲۶۳, h. ۴۷۸۱.
7.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۹۹۴۷.
8.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۷۸۴۲, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۴۵۳, h. ۸۱۱۲.
9.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۹۰۰۶.
