A leader needs a wise mind, an eloquent tongue and a heart that is steadfast in the establishment of truth
يَحْتَاجُ الْإِمَامُ إِلَى قَلْبٍ عَقُولٍ وَلِسَانٍ قَئُولٍ وَجَنَانٍ عَلَى إِقَامَةِ الْحَقِّ صَئُولٍ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of all kings in character is one whose justice prevails over all the people
أَفْضَلُ الْمُلُوكِ سَجِيَّةً مَنْ عَمَّ النَّاسَ بِعَدْلِهِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The most exalted of rulers is one who is not ruled by his vain desires
أَجَلُّ الْأُمَرَاءِ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنِ الْهَوَى عَلَيْهِ أَمِيراً
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of kings is one whose action and intention are good, and who is just with his army and his people
أَفْضَلُ الْمُلُوكِ مَنْ حَسُنَ فِعْلُهُ وَنِيَّتُهُ وَعَدَلَ فِي جُنْدِهِ وَرَعِيَّتِهِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The king who is in the best condition is one whose subjects become prosperous in his prosperity and whose justice prevails over all his people
أَحْسَنُ الْمُلُوكِ حَالًا مَنْ حَسُنَ عَيْشُ النَّاسِ فِي عَيْشِهِ وَعَمَّ رَعِيَّتَهُ بِعَدْلِهِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The most intelligent of kings is he who governs himself for the people in a way that will remove any proof against him and governs the people in a way that affirms his proof against them
أَعْقَلُ الْمُلُوكِ مَنْ سَاسَ نَفْسَهُ لِلرَّعِيَّةِ بِمَا يَسْقُطُ عَنْهُ حُجَّتُهَا وَسَاسَ الرَّعِيَّةَ بِمَا تَثْبُتُ بِهِ حُجَّتُهُ عَلَيْهَا
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
It is a right upon the king that he should govern himself [first] before his troops
حَقٌّ عَلَى الْمَلِكِ أَنْ يَسُوسَ نَفْسَهُ قَبْلَ جُنْدِهِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of commanders is one who has command over himself
خَيْرُ الْأُمَرَاءِ مَنْ كَانَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ أَمِيراً
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The lassitude of a king is more harmful for the people than the oppression of a king
خَوَرُ السُّلْطَانِ أَشَدُّ عَلَى الرَّعِيَّةِ مِنْ جَوْرِ السُّلْطَانِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The [leader and] guide must be truthful to his followers and must employ his intellect; and he must be from those who are inclined to the Hereafter, for it is from there that he came forth and to it will be his return
فَلْيَصْدُقْ رَائِدٌ أَهْلَهُ وَلْيُحْضِرْ عَقْلَهُ وَلْيَكُنْ مِنْ أَبْنَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ فَمِنْهَا قَدِمَ وَإِلَيْهَا يَنْقَلِبُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One whose competence is good deserves [to be given] authority
مَنْ أَحْسَنَ الْكِفَايَةَ اسْتَحَقَّ الْوِلَايَةَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
It is a right upon the king to govern himself before his soldiers
مِنْ حَقِّ الْمَلِكِ أَنْ يَسُوسَ نَفْسَهُ قَبْلَ جُنْدِهِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One of the signs of alternation of power is vigilance in safeguarding affairs
مِنْ أَمَارَاتِ الدَّوْلَةِ الْيَقَظَةُ [التَّيَقُّظُ] لِحِرَاسَةِ الْأُمُورِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
From the indicators of alternation of power is decrease of negligence
مِنْ دَلَائِلِ الدَّوْلَةِ قِلَّةُ الْغَفْلَةِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The eminent person is one who neither flatters nor deceives, nor is he beguiled by greedy ambitions
السَّيِّدُ مَنْ لَا يُصَانِعُ وَلَا يُخَادِعُ وَلَا تَغُرُّهُ الْمَطَامِعُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech