Condemnation of Certain Negative Character Traits
Imam Ali (A.S.) said:
“Whoever is consumed by greed humiliates himself. Whoever exposes his hardships accepts humiliation. Whoever allows his tongue to rule over him degrades himself.”
Key Vocabulary
Azrā (أزرى): To belittle, demean, or lower one’s dignity.
Istash‘ara (استشعر): To embrace, adopt, or become deeply influenced by something.
Dhull (ذل): Humiliation, disgrace, or a condition of weakness, poverty, or hardship.
Durr (ضر): Severe harm, hardship, or affliction.
Hānat (هانت): To become insignificant or to lose one’s dignity.
Ammara (أمّر): To appoint as a ruler or place in authority.
Summary of Wisdom Two
In this enlightening saying, Imam Ali (A.S.) describes the consequences of three destructive moral vices.
First, a person who is driven by greed diminishes his own dignity. In contrast, one who lives with contentment and simplicity preserves honor and self-respect.
Second, anyone who constantly reveals personal hardships and private struggles to others willingly exposes himself to humiliation.
Third, a person who allows his tongue to dominate his actions—speaking without reflection or wisdom—also degrades himself.
Thus, greed, exposing one’s private difficulties, and allowing the tongue to rule over reason are three blameworthy behaviors that lead to the loss of human dignity.
Notes
1. Greed Destroys Human Dignity
A greedy person loses respect both in the eyes of others and within himself. Since he is never satisfied with what he possesses, he constantly desires what belongs to others. This dependence forces him to seek favors and lowers his self-esteem and personal honor.
2. Revealing Personal Hardships
Every person experiences difficulties and worries. However, repeatedly revealing personal problems through words or behavior often contributes to one’s own humiliation, as it presents an image of helplessness and failure.
3. Complaining to People Instead of Allah
In principle, constantly complaining about one’s difficulties to people is discouraged because it resembles complaining about Allah’s decree before His servants. Such an attitude is inconsistent with true servitude and trust in Allah.
Lessons and Reflections
1. Speak Only to Those Who Can Help
Discussing problems with people who have neither the ability nor the intention to help usually results only in embarrassment and humiliation. In such situations, self-restraint and patience are preferable.
2. Control the Tongue Through Wisdom
Words spoken without careful thought often have consequences that cannot be undone.
Imam Ali (A.S.) teaches that the human soul is so noble that it should never be destroyed by an uncontrolled tongue. A wise person allows reason to guide speech, not speech to overpower reason. The intellect is the source of happiness, while an uncontrolled tongue may become the cause of disgrace.
3. Honor Requires Freedom from Greed
Anyone who seeks true honor and dignity should avoid greed and refrain from coveting the possessions of others.
Self-Assessment
You should now be able to answer the following questions:
- What are the harmful consequences of greed and of exposing our personal hardships to others?
- Why is constantly speaking about our problems and difficulties to others considered blameworthy?
- What should a person do to ensure that the tongue does not dominate and control them?
Keywords
The Illuminated Path • Nahj al-Balagha • Wisdom Two • Moral Vices • Greed • The Tongue • Self-Humiliation • Human Dignity • Self-Respect • Imam Ali (A.S.)