The tongue is the interpreter of the heart

اللِّسَانُ تَرْجُمَانُ الْجَنَانِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The tongue is the interpreter of the intellect

اللِّسَانُ تَرْجُمَانُ الْعَقْلِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

A person is hidden under his tongue

الْمَرْءُ مَخْبُوءٌ تَحْتَ لِسَانِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The tongue is the gauge of a human being

اللِّسَانُ مِيزَانُ الْإِنْسَانِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The tongues reveal that which is concealed by the inner consciences

الْأَلْسُنُ تُتَرْجِمُ عَمَّا تَجُنُّهُ الضَّمَائِرُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

A person is weighed by his speech and valued by his action, so say that which is weighty and do that which has great value

الْمَرْءُ يُوزَنُ بِقَوْلِهِ وَيُقَوَّمُ بِفِعْلِهِ فَقُلْ مَا تَرَجَّحُ زِنَتُهُ [زِينَتُهُ‏] وَافْعَلْ مَا تَجِلُّ قِيمَتُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Words are the moulds of meanings

الْأَلْفَاظُ قَوَالِبُ الْمَعَانِي

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Speak and you will be known, for indeed a man is concealed under his tongue

تَكَلَّمُوا تُعْرَفُوا فَإِنَّ الْمَرْءَ مَجْنُوءٌ [مَخْبُوءٌ] تَحْتَ لِسَانِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The merit of a man is known from his speech

فَضْلُ الرَّجُلِ يُعْرَفُ مِنْ قَوْلِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Your speech is recorded, forever to remain in your book of deeds, so make it about that which brings you closer [to Allah] and beware of uttering that which will destroy you

كَلَامُكَ مَحْفُوظٌ عَلَيْكَ مُخَلَّدٌ فِي صَحِيفَتِكَ فَاجْعَلْهُ فِيمَا يُزْلِفُكَ وَإِيَّاكَ أَنْ تُطْلِقَهُ فِيمَا يُوبِقُكَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The intellect of every person is indicated by his tongue, and his merit is evinced by his diction

يُنْبِئُ عَنْ عَقْلِ كُلِّ امْرِئٍ لِسَانُهُ وَيَدُلُّ عَلَى فَضْلِهِ بَيَانُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Without a tongue, the human being would be nothing more than lifeless statue or a wild beast

مَا الْإِنْسَانُ لَوْ لَا اللِّسَانُ إِلَّا صُورَةٌ مُمَثَّلَةٌ أَوْ بَهِيمَةٌ مُهْمَلَةٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The indication of a person’s intellect is his speech

دَلِيلُ عَقْلِ الرَّجُلِ قَوْلُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

In times of impromptu speech, the intellects of people are tested

عِنْدَ بَدِيهَةِ الْمَقَالِ تُخْتَبَرُ عُقُولُ الرِّجَالِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The speech of a man is the measure of his intellect

كَلَامُ الرَّجُلِ مِيزَانُ عَقْلِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The intellect of every person is deduced by what passes upon his tongue

يُسْتَدَلُّ عَلَى عَقْلِ كُلِّ امْرِئٍ بِمَا يَجْرِي عَلَى لِسَانِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The intellect of a man is indicated by his good speech and the purity of his roots is evinced by his beautiful actions

يُسْتَدَلُّ عَلَى عَقْلِ الرَّجُلِ بِحُسْنِ مَقَالِهِ وَعَلَى طَهَارَةِ أَصْلِهِ بِجَمِيلِ أَفْعَالِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The intellect of every person is manifested by that which is spoken by his tongue

يُنْبِئُ عَنْ عَقْلِ كُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا يَنْطِقُ بِهِ لِسَانُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Muteness is better than inarticulateness (or error)

الْخَرَسُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْعِيِّ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The inability of effective expression weakens the argument

الْحَصْرُ يُضْعِفُ الْحُجَّةَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Speaking the truth is better than inarticulateness and silence

الْقَوْلُ بِالْحَقِّ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْعِيِّ وَالصَّمْتِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many a word is more piercing than an arrow

رُبَّ كَلَامٍ أَنْفَذُ مِنْ سِهَامٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who sets his tongue aright adorns his intellect

مَنْ قَوَّمَ لِسَانَهُ زَانَ عَقْلُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who makes his speech prudent proves the abundance of his merit

مَنْ سَدَّدَ مَقَالَهُ بَرْهَنَ عَنْ غَزَارَةِ فَضْلِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who settles for hinting [and indirect reference] becomes needless of declaration

مَنِ اكْتَفَى بِالتَّلْوِيحِ اسْتَغْنَى عَنِ التَّصْرِيحِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who undertakes the rending and mending of speech has attained eloquence

مَنْ قَامَ بِفَتْقِ الْقَوْلِ وَرَتْقِهِ فَقَدْ حَانَ [خَانَ‏] الْبَلَاغَةَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One of the signs of intelligence is speaking what is right

مِنْ دَلَائِلِ الْعَقْلِ النُّطْقُ بِالصَّوَابِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

From the signs of turning [to Allah] are: correctness of speech and kindness in actions

مِنْ عَلَامَاتِ الْإِقْبَالِ سَدَادُ الْأَقْوَالِ وَالرِّفْقُ فِي الْأَفْعَالِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The best speech is that which is adorned by good arrangement and understood by [both] the elite and the general public

أَحْسَنُ الْكَلَامِ مَا زَانَهُ حُسْنُ النِّظَامِ وَفَهِمَهُ الْخَاصُّ وَالْعَامُّ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The best of speech is that which is affirmed by good actions

أَحْسَنُ الْمَقَالِ مَا صَدَّقَهُ حُسْنُ الْفِعَالِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The most conveying eloquent speech is that which is easily passed on [and understood] correctly and which is appropriately concise

أَبْلَغُ الْبَلَاغَةِ مَا سَهُلَ فِي الصَّوَابِ مَجَازُهُ وَحَسُنَ [و أحسن‏] إِيجَازُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The best speech is that which is pertinent

أَحْسَنُ الْقَوْلِ السَّدَادُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The most accurate shot is speech that is prudent

أَصْوَبُ الرَّمْيِ الْقَوْلُ الْمُصِيبُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The best speech is that which is not dismissed by the ears and is not difficult for the minds to comprehend

أَحْسَنُ الْكَلَامِ مَا لَا تَمُجُّهُ الْآذَانُ وَلَا يُتْعِبُ فَهْمُهُ الْأَفْهَامَ [الْأَذْهَانَ‏]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Beautiful speech is proof of abundant intelligence

جَمِيلُ الْقَوْلِ دَلِيلُ وُفُورِ الْعَقْلِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The best speech is that which is neither boring [because of its length] nor too brief

خَيْرُ الْكَلَامِ مَا لَا يُمِلُّ وَلَا يُقِلُّ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The uprightness of a human being is in controlling the tongue and doing good deeds

صَلَاحُ الْإِنْسَانِ فِي حَبْسِ اللِّسَانِ وَبَذْلِ الْإِحْسَانِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Accustom your tongue to polite speech and you will remain safe from reproach

عَوِّدْ لِسَانَكَ حُسْنَ الْكَلَامِ تَأْمَنِ الْمَلَامَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Be good in your speech, beautiful in your actions, for indeed the speech of a person is the evidence of his merit and his action is the symbol of his intellect

كُنْ حَسَنَ الْمَقَالِ جَمِيلَ الْأَفْعَالِ فَإِنَّ مَقَالَ الرَّجُلِ بُرْهَانُ فَضْلِهِ وَفَعَالَهُ عُنْوَانُ عَقْلِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The righteous tongue rejects the foolishness of the ignorant

لِسَانُ الْبِرِّ يَأْبَى سَفَهَ الْجُهَّالِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One whose speech is good, success is in front of him

مَنْ حَسُنَ كَلَامُهُ كَانَ النُّجْحُ أَمَامَهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One whose speech is bad, his censure increases

مَنْ سَاءَ كَلَامُهُ كَثُرَ مَلَامُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Beware of speaking about something whose way you are unfamiliar with and whose reality you are unaware of, for indeed your speech indicates your intellect, and your expression informs about your level of understanding, so limit your long tongue to that which keeps you safe, and make your speech concise to [the extent of] what is deemed good, for indeed this is more beautiful for you and more indicative of your merit

إِيَّاكَ وَالْكَلَامَ فِيمَا لَا تَعْرِفُ طَرِيقَتَهُ وَلَا تَعْلَمُ حَقِيقَتَهُ فَإِنَّ قَوْلَكَ يَدُلُّ عَلَى عَقْلِكَ وَعِبَارَتَكَ تُنْبِئُ عَنْ مَعْرِفَتِكَ فَتَوَقَّ مِنْ طُولِ لِسَانِكَ مَا أَمِنْتَهُ وَاخْتَصِرْ مِنْ كَلَامِكَ مَا اسْتَحْسَنْتَهُ فَإِنَّهُ بِكَ أَجْمَلُ وَعَلَى فَضْلِكَ أَدَلُّ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Eschew speaking about that which you do not know, and making statements about that which you are not responsible for, and hold yourself back from a path when you fear its deviation

دَعِ الْقَوْلَ فِيمَا لَا تَعْرِفُ وَالْخِطَابَ فِيمَا لَمْ تُكَلَّفْ وَأَمْسِكْ عَنْ طَرِيقٍ إِذَا خِفْتَ ضَلَالَتَهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who abandons the words “I don’t know” comes upon his [place of] destruction

مَنْ تَرَكَ قَوْلَ لَا أَدْرِي أُصِيبَتْ مَقَاتِلُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not speak of that which you do not know, for indeed most of the truth lies in that which you do not know

لَا تَقُولُوا فِيمَا لَا تَعْرِفُونَ فَإِنَّ أَكْثَرَ الْحَقِّ فِيمَا تُنْكِرُونَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not say that which you do not know, for indeed Allah, the Glorified, has prescribed obligations upon all your body parts which He will use as proof against you

لَا تَقُلْ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ سُبْحَانَهُ قَدْ فَرَضَ عَلَى كُلِّ جَوَارِحِكَ فَرَائِضَ يَحْتَجُّ بِهَا عَلَيْكَ [يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The intelligent person is one whose words are affirmed by his actions

الْعَاقِلُ مَنْ صَدَّقَ أَقْوَالَهُ أَفْعَالُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The best of utterances is that which is affirmed by action

أَحْسَنُ الْمَقَالِ مَا صَدَّقَهُ الْفَعَالُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed the preference of speech over action is a shortcoming, and the preference of action over speech is indeed a beauty and an adornment

إِنَّ فَضْلَ الْقَوْلِ عَلَى الْفِعْلِ لَهُجْنَهٌ وَإِنَّ فَضْلَ الْفِعْلِ عَلَى الْقَوْلِ لَجَمَالٌ وَزِينَةٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When you make your speech good, then make your action good also so that you can bring together excellent speech with virtuous benevolence

إِذَا أَحْسَنْتَ الْقَوْلَ فَأَحْسِنِ الْعَمَلَ لِتَجْمَعَ بِذَلِكَ بَيْنَ مَزِيَّةِ اللِّسَانِ وَفَضِيلَةِ الْإِحْسَانِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One whose deed done in private matches what he does openly and whose actions are consistent with his speech, then he is the one who has fulfilled the trust and whose justice has been established

مَنْ طَابَقَ سِرُّهُ عَلَانِيَتَهُ وَوَافَقَ فِعْلُهُ مَقَالَتَهُ فَهُوَ الَّذِي أَدَّى الْأَمَانَةَ وَتَحَقَّقَتْ عَدَالَتُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Never say that which you do not do, for indeed you will never become free of the failure that attaches itself to you and the blame that you earn

لَا تَقُولَنَّ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُهُ فَإِنَّكَ لَنْ تَخْلُوَ فِي ذَلِكَ مِنْ عَجْزٍ يَلْزَمُكَ وَذَمٍّ تَكْسِبُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The deeds of a person ought to be better than his words and his words should not be better than his actions

يَنْبَغِي أَنْ تَكُونَ أَفْعَالُ الرَّجُلِ أَحْسَنَ مِنْ أَقْوَالِهِ وَلَا تَكُونَ أَقْوَالُهُ أَحْسَنَ مِنْ أَفْعَالِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Deliberation in speech saves one from error

التَّرَوِّي فِي الْقَوْلِ يُؤْمِنُ الزَّلَلَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

    Confidence in speech protects from slips and mistakes

التَّثَبُّتُ [التَّشَبُّثُ‏] فِي الْقَوْلِ يُؤْمِنُ الْعِثَارَ وَالزَّلَلَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Whoever reviews his speech, his mistakes reduce

مَنْ تَفَقَّدَ مَقَالَهُ قَلَّ غَلَطُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The tongue is a gauge that is given weight by the intellect and made light by ignorance

اللِّسَانُ مِعْيَارٌ أَرْجَحَهُ الْعَقْلُ وَأَطَاشَهُ الْجَهْلُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The heart of a fool is in his mouth and the tongue of the intelligent one is in his heart

قَلْبُ الْأَحْمَقِ فِي فِيهِ وَلِسَانُ الْعَاقِلِ فِي قَلْبِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The heart of a fool is behind his tongue, and the tongue of the intelligent one is behind his heart

قَلْبُ الْأَحْمَقِ وَرَاءَ لِسَانِهِ وَلِسَانُ الْعَاقِلِ وَرَاءَ قَلْبِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The speech of the intelligent is a nourishment [for the soul] and the reply of the ignorant is [nothing better than] silence

كَلَامُ الْعَاقِلِ قُوتٌ وَجَوَابُ الْجَاهِلِ سُكُوتٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The tongue of the intelligent person is behind his heart

لِسَانُ الْعَاقِلِ وَرَاءَ قَلْبِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The place where speech is infixed is the heart, its repository is the mind, its strengthener is the intellect, its initiator is the tongue, its form is letters, its soul is [its] meaning, its adornment is [correct] syntax and its order is appositeness

مَغْرَسُ الْكَلَامِ الْقَلْبُ وَمُسْتَوْدَعُهُ الْفِكْرُ وَمُقَوِّيهِ الْعَقْلُ وَمُبْدِيهِ اللِّسَانُ وَجِسْمُهُ الْحُرُوفُ وَرُوحُهُ الْمَعْنَى وَحِلْيَتُهُ الْإِعْرَابُ وَنِظَامُهُ الصَّوَابُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Speech is like medicine, a little of it is beneficial but too much of it can be fatal

الْكَلَامُ كَالدَّوَاءِ قَلِيلُهُ يَنْفَعُ وَكَثِيرُهُ قَاتِلٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Reduce your speech and shorten your hopes, and do not say that which will earn you sin or will alienate a freeman from you

أَقْلِلِ الْمَقَالَ وَقَصِّرِ الْآمَالَ وَلَا تَقُلْ مَا يُكْسِبُكَ وِزْراً أَوْ [وَ] يُنَفِّرُ عَنْكَ حُرّاً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When the intellect is complete, speech decreases

إِذَا تَمَّ الْعَقْلُ نَقَصَ الْكَلَامُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When Allah, the Glorified, wishes goodness for a servant, He inspires him to talk less, eat less and sleep less

إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ صَلَاحَ عَبْدٍ أَلْهَمَهُ قِلَّةَ الْكَلَامِ وَقِلَّةَ الطَّعَامِ وَقِلَّةَ الْمَنَامِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Speech may, at times, be harmful

قَدْ يَضُرُّ الْكَلَامُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Conciseness can be enough of an eloquence

قَدْ يُكْتَفَى مِنَ الْبَلَاغَةِ بِالْإِيجَازِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Reduce your speech and shorten your hopes

قَلِّلِ الْمَقَالَ وَقَصِّرِ الْآمَالَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who knows that he is accountable for his speech should shorten his speech

مَنْ عَلِمَ أَنَّهُ مُؤَاخَذٌ بِقَوْلِهِ فَلْيُقَصِّرْ فِي الْمَقَالِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The nobility of a man is evinced by the paucity of his speech and his merit is deduced from his abundant tolerance

يُسْتَدَلُّ عَلَى نُبْلِ الرَّجُلِ بِقِلَّةِ مَقَالِهِ وَعَلَى تَفَضُّلِهِ بِكَثْرَةِ احْتِمَالِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Reduce [your] speech and you will be safe from blame

أَقْلِلِ الْكَلَامَ تَأْمَنِ الْمَلَامَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Reduce your speech and you will remain safe from censure

أَقْلِلْ كَلَامَكَ تَأْمَنْ مَلَاماً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When speech is reduced, accuracy is increased

إِذَا قَلَّ الْخِطَابُ كَثُرَ الصَّوَابُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Speaking less hides [one’s] faults and decreases [one’s] sins

قِلَّةُ الْكَلَامِ يَسْتُرُ الْعُيُوبَ وَيُقَلِّلُ الذُّنُوبَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Speaking less conceals shameful flaws and keeps one safe from missteps

قِلَّةُ الْكَلَامِ يَسْتُرُ الْعَوَارَ وَيُؤْمِنُ الْعِثَارَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Acquiring wisdom is [a means of] beautifying speech and employing kindness

كَسْبُ الْحِكْمَةِ إِجْمَالُ النُّطْقِ وَاسْتِعْمَالُ الرِّفْقِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who speaks less, his sins are less

مَنْ قَلَّ كَلَامُهُ قَلَّتْ آثَامُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One whose speech is less, his fault is nullified

مَنْ قَلَّ كَلَامُهُ بَطَلَ عَيْبُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Whoever restrains himself from excessive speech, the people bear witness to his intelligence

مَنْ أَمْسَكَ عَنْ فُضُولِ الْمَقَالِ شَهِدَتْ بِعَقْلِهِ الرِّجَالُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Excessive speech is annoying

الْإِكْثَارُ إِضْجَارٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Speech is between two bad qualities, namely: too much and too little; too much [of it] is babble and too little is inarticulateness and speechlessness

الْكَلَامُ بَيْنَ خَلَّتَيْ سَوْءٍ هُمَا الْإِكْثَارُ وَالْإِقْلَالُ فَالْإِكْثَارُ هَذْرٌ وَالْإِقْلَالُ عِيٌّ وَحَصَرٌ [وَ الْعُقُوبَةُ وَالِانْتِقَامُ‏]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Speaking too much makes the wise one stumble and makes the tolerant one weary, therefore do not talk so much that others get fed up and do not be so reticent that you are humiliated

الْإِكْثَارُ يُزِلُّ الْحَكِيمَ وَيَمَلُّ الْحَلِيمَ فَلَا تُكْثِرْ فَتُضْجِرْ وَتُفَرِّطْ [وَ لَا تُفَرِّطْ] فَتُهَنْ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Haughtiness is the language of error and ignorance

الِاسْتِطَالَةُ لِسَانُ الْغَوَايَةِ وَالْجَهَالَةِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Beware of excessive speech for indeed it increases errors and brings about weariness

إِيَّاكَ وَكَثْرَةَ الْكَلَامِ فَإِنَّهُ يُكْثِرُ الزَّلَلَ وَيُورِثُ الْمَلَلَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Beware of excessive [and impertinent] speech, for indeed it manifests your hidden flaws and provokes your silent enemies

إِيَّاكَ وَفُضُولَ الْكَلَامِ فَإِنَّهُ يُظْهِرُ مِنْ عُيُوبِكَ مَا بَطَنَ وَيُحَرِّكُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَعْدَائِكَ مَا سَكَنَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

It is worse than inarticulateness for one to speak more than [what] is necessary

أَقْبَحُ مِنَ الْعِيِّ الزِّيَادَةُ عَلَى الْمَنْطِقِ عَنْ مَوْضِعِ الْحَاجَةِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The bane of speech is prolongation

آفَةُ الْكَلَامِ الْإِطَالَةُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Superfluity [in speech] is one of the worst habits

بِئْسَ الْعَادَةُ الْفُضُولُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Eschew speech about that which does not concern you, and in situations that are inappropriate, for many a word has taken away a blessing and [many] an utterance has brought about bloodshed

دَعِ الْكَلَامَ فِيمَا لَا يَعْنِيكَ وَفِي غَيْرِ مَوْضِعِهِ فَرُبَّ كَلِمَةٍ سَلَبَتْ نِعْمَةَّ وَلَفْظَةٍ أَتَتْ عَلَى مُهْجَةٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many an utterance is hurtful

رُبِّ كَلَامٍ كَلَّامٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The sign of inarticulateness is repeating oneself during a debate and increased excitement during conversation

عَلَامَةُ الْعِيِّ تَكْرَارُ الْكَلَامِ عِنْدَ الْمُنَاظَرَةِ وَكَثْرَةُ التَّبَجُّحِ عِنْدَ الْمُحَاوَرَةِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Loquaciousness has been paired up with boredom

قُرِنَ الْإِكْثَارُ بِالْمَلَلِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Too much talking makes the ear weary

كَثْرَةُ الْكَلَامِ تَمَلُّ السَّمْعَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Too much asking leads to restlessness

كَثْرَةُ السُّؤَالِ تُورِثُ الْمَلَالَ [المآل‏]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Excessive talking makes one’s brothers fed up

كَثْرَةُ الْكَلَامِ تَمَلُّ الْإِخْوَانَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Excessive speech is such that its marginal issues are expanded and its meanings are reduced, so no end is seen for it and nobody benefits from it

كَثْرَةُ الْكَلَامِ تَبْسُطُ حَوَاشِيَهُ وَتَنْقُصُ مَعَانِيَهُ فَلَا يُرَى لَهُ أَمَدٌ وَلَا يَنْتَفِعُ بِهِ أَحَدٌ [أجل‏]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who increases [his talk] makes others weary

مَنْ أَكْثَرَ مُلَّ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who is loquacious is abandoned

مَنْ أَكْثَرَ هُجِرَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who talks too much makes others fed up

مَنْ كَثُرَ مَقَالُهُ سُئِمَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who speaks too much [makes] blunders

مَنْ كَثُرَ كَلَامُهُ زَلَّ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who speaks too much gets rebuked more

مَنْ كَثُرَ كَلَامُهُ كَثُرَ مَلَامُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One whose speech is excessive, his lapses increase

مَنْ كَثُرَ كَلَامُهُ كَثُرَ سَقَطُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who talks a lot increases his babble

مَنْ كَثُرَ كَلَامُهُ كَثُرَ لَغَطُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One whose speech is excessive is never free from lapses

مَنْ كَثُرَ مَقَالُهُ لَمْ يَعْدَمِ السَّقَطَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Whoever speaks too much, others get fed up with him

مَنْ أَكْثَرَ الْمَقَالَ سُئِمَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who prolongs his talk about that which he ought not to [speak of] has indeed made himself liable to dispraise

مَنْ أَطَالَ الْحَدِيثَ فِيمَا لَا يَنْبَغِي فَقَدْ عَرَّضَ نَفْسَهُ لِلْمَلَامَةِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who talks a lot increases his babble and one who jokes a lot increases his silliness

مَنْ كَثُرَ كَلَامُهُ كَثُرَ لَغَطُهُ وَمَنْ كَثُرَ هَزْلُهُ كَثُرَ سُخْفُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Speech is in your control as long as you have not uttered it, but once you utter it you become shackled by it

الْكَلَامُ فِي وَثَاقِكَ مَا لَمْ تَتَكَلَّمْ بِهِ فَإِذَا تَكَلَّمْتَ بِهِ صِرْتَ فِي وَثَاقِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Utterances are recorded, secrets are [going to be] revealed and every soul is held hostage by what it has earned

الْأَقَاوِيلُ مَحْفُوظَةٌ وَالسَّرَائِرُ مَبْلُوَّةٌ وَكُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِما كَسَبَتْ رَهِينَةٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The worst speech is that which contradicts itself

شَرُّ الْقَوْلِ مَا نَقَضَ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضاً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

For every situation there is an appropriate thing to say

لِكُلِّ مَقَامٍ مَقَالٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who speaks that which he ought not to, hears that which he does not like

مَنْ قَالَ مَا لَا يَنْبَغِي سَمِعَ مَا لَا يَشْتَهِي

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

It is from the intelligence of a man that he not speak about all that he knows

مِنْ عَقْلِ الرَّجُلِ أَنْ لَا يَتَكَلَّمَ بِجَمِيعِ [بِكُلِ‏] مَا أَحَاطَ بِهِ عِلْمُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

A discourteous reply stems from a discourteous address

نَكِيرُ الْجَوَابِ مِنْ نَكِيرِ الْخِطَابِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Never say anything the reply for which will hurt you

لَا تَقُولَنَّ مَا يَسُوؤُكَ جَوَابُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not speak that which you fear others will consider a lie

لَا تُحَدِّثْ بِمَا تَخَافُ تَكْذِيبَهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not tell the truth to one who responds to your truth by denying [and belying] it

لَا تُصَدِّقْ مَنْ يُقَابِلُ صِدْقَكَ بِتَكْذِيبِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not speak of everything you know, for that is [itself] a sufficient ignorance

لَا تَتَكَلَّمْ بِكُلِّ مَا تَعْلَمُ فَكَفَى بِذَلِكَ جَهْلًا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not say that which will make your burden [of sin] heavy

لَا تَقُلْ مَا يُثْقِلُ وِزْرَكَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Never speak when you cannot find an appropriate situation to speak

لَا تَتَكَلَّمَنَّ إِذَا لَمْ تَجِدْ لِلْكَلَامِ مَوْقِعاً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Never debate except with one who is fair and never guide anyone but the seeker of guidance

لَا تُقَاوِلَنَّ إِلَّا مُنْصِفاً وَلَا تُرْشِدَنَّ إِلَّا مُسْتَرْشِداً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not move your tongue except to say that which will earn you reward and that which behoves you to speak [of] openly

لَا تُجْرِ لِسَانَكَ إِلَّا بِمَا يُكْتَبُ لَكَ أَجْرُهُ وَيُجْمِلُ عَنْكَ نَشْرُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The tongue is recalcitrant to its owner

اللِّسَانُ جَمُوحٌ بِصَاحِبِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The tongue is a beast of prey, if you let it free it will injure [you]

اللِّسَانُ سَبُعٌ إِنْ أَطْلَقْتَهُ عَقَرَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Be cautious of the tongue for indeed it is an arrow that can miss its mark

احْذَرُوا اللِّسَانَ فَإِنَّهُ سَهْمٌ يُخْطِئُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily your tongue demands from you that which you have made it accustomed to

إِنَّ لِسَانَكَ يَقْتَضِيكَ مَا عَوَّدْتَهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Your tongue demands from you that which you have made it accustomed to

لِسَانُكَ يَقْتَضِيكَ مَا عَوَّدْتَهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Your tongue demands from you that which you have accustomed it to and your soul requires from you that which you have familiarized it with

لِسَانُكَ يَسْتَدْعِيكَ مَا عَوَّدْتَهُ وَنَفْسُكَ تَقْتَضِيكَ مَا أَلِفْتَهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The affliction of a human being is in his tongue

بَلَاءُ الْإِنْسَانِ فِي لِسَانِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The edge of the tongue is sharper than the edge of a spearhead

حَدُّ اللِّسَانِ أَمْضَى مِنْ حَدِّ السِّنَانِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many an utterance is like a [sharp] sword

رُبَّ كَلَامٍ كَالْحُسَامِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many a syllable has brought death

رُبَّ حَرْفٍ جَلَبَ حَتْفاً [رُبَّ أَمْنٍ جَلَبَ حَتْفاً]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many a strife has been instigated by a word

رُبَّ فِتْنَةٍ أَثَارَهَا قَوْلٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many an utterance is more severe than an assault

رُبَّ قَوْلٍ أَشَدُّ مِنْ صَوْلٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many a tongue destroys a person

رُبَّ لِسَانٍ أَتَى عَلَى إِنْسَانٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many a war has been started because of a [single] word

رُبَّ حَرْبٍ جُنِيَتْ مِنْ لَفْظَةٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

It is very rare for the tongue to remain fair in spreading [news about] the ugly and the good acts [of others]

قَلَّمَا يُنْصِفُ اللِّسَانُ فِي نَشْرِ قَبِيحٍ أَوْ إِحْسَانٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Every person is held accountable for the offence committed by his tongue and his hand

كُلُّ إِنْسَانٍ مُؤَاخَذٌ [لِنَفْسِهِ‏] بِجِنَايَةِ لِسَانِهِ وَيَدِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

How much blood has been spilt by the mouth!

كَمْ مِنْ دَمٍ سَفَكَهُ فَمٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

How many a person has been destroyed by the tongue!

كَمْ مِنْ إِنْسَانٍ أَهْلَكَهُ لِسَانٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

How many a word has taken away a blessing

كَمْ مِنْ كَلِمَةٍ سَلَبَتْ نِعْمَةً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

How many a war has been started by a single word

كَمْ مِنْ حَرْبٍ جُنِيَتْ مِنْ لَفْظَةٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Speech has some banes

لِلْكَلَامِ آفَاتٌ [آفَةٌ]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Nothing attracts the heart of a human being more than a [sweet and eloquent] tongue, and none beguiles the soul more than Satan

مَا مِنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ أَجْلَبُ لِقَلْبِ الْإِنْسَانِ مِنْ لِسَانٍ وَلَا أَخْدَعَ لِلنَّفْسِ مِنْ شَيْطَانٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

This tongue is recalcitrant to its owner

هَذَا اللِّسَانُ جَمُوحٌ لِصَاحِبِهِ [بِصَاحِبِهِ‏]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Dyslogia is better than babble

الْحَصَرُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْهَذَرِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Idle talk takes one closer to [unpleasant] changes [in circumstances]

الْهَذَرُ مُقَرِّبٌ مِنَ الْغِيَرِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Idle talk harms the soul

الْهَذَرُ يَأْتِي عَلَى الْمُهْجَةِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Keep away from idle talk, for the least of its damage is blame

اجْتَنِبِ الْهَذَرَ فَأَيْسَرُ جِنَايَتِهِ الْمَلَامَةُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Beware of idle talk, for the one whose talk increases, his sins [also] increase

إِيَّاكَ وَالْهَذَرَ فَمَنْ كَثُرَ كَلَامُهُ كَثُرَتْ آثَامُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The ugliness of dyslogia is better than the harm of talking nonsense

قُبْحُ الْحَصَرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ جُرْحِ [حَرَجِ‏] الْهَذَرِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Excessive idle talk earns disgrace

كَثْرَةُ الْهَذَرِ يَكْسِبُ الْعَارَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Beware of offensive speech for indeed it fills the hearts with spite [and hatred]

إِيَّاكَ وَمُسْتَهْجَنَ الْكَلَامِ فَإِنَّهُ يُوغِرُ الْقَلْبَ [الْقُلُوبَ‏]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Beware of speech which is offensive, for indeed it confines you to [the company of] vile people and repels the honourable ones from you

إِيَّاكَ وَمَا يُسْتَهْجَنُ مِنَ الْكَلَامِ فَإِنَّهُ يَحْبِسُ عَلَيْكَ اللِّئَامَ وَيُنَفِّرُ عَنْكَ الْكِرَامَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am amazed at the one who speaks about that which, if it is related from him, will harm him and if it is not related from him, will not benefit him

عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَتَكَلَّمُ فِيمَا إِنْ حَكَى عَنْهُ ضَرَّهُ وَإِنْ لَمْ يَحْكِ عَنْهُ لَمْ يَنْفَعْهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am amazed at the one who speaks about that which neither benefits him in this world nor for which reward is written for him in the Hereafter

عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا لَا يَنْفَعُهُ فِي دُنْيَاهُ وَلَا يُكْتَبُ لَهُ أَجْرُهُ فِي أُخْرَاهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Nobleness is control over one’s tongue and doing good to others

الْكَرَمُ مِلْكُ اللِّسَانِ وَبَذْلُ الْإِحْسَانِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Safeguard your tongue just as you treasure your gold and your money

اخْزُنْ لِسَانَكَ كَمَا تَخْزُنُ ذَهَبَكَ وَوَرِقَكَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Protect your head from the slips of your tongue, and constrain it with reason, judiciousness, God-wariness and intellect

احْفَظْ رَأْسَكَ مِنْ [عَنْ‏] عَثْرَةِ لِسَانِكَ وَازْمُمْهُ بِالنَّهْيِ وَالْحَزْمِ وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَقْلِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Restrain your tongue before it prolongs your incarceration and destroys your soul, for there is nothing more worthy of long imprisonment than a tongue that has strayed from the right and is hasty in responding

احْبِسْ لِسَانَكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُطِيلَ حَبْسَكَ وَيُرْدِي نَفْسَكَ فَلَا شَيْ‏ءَ أَوْلَى بِطُولِ سِجْنٍ مِنْ لِسَانٍ يَعْدِلُ عَنِ الصَّوَابِ وَيَتَسَرَّعُ إِلَى الْجَوَابِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Safeguarding the tongue and doing good to others are from the best merits of a human being

حِفْظُ اللِّسَانِ وَبَذْلُ الْإِحْسَانِ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ فَضَائِلِ الْإِنْسَانِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The edge of a spearhead severs the appendages [of the body] whereas the edge of the tongue cuts short lifetimes

حَدُّ السِّنَانِ يَقْطَعُ الْأَوْصَالَ وَحَدُّ اللِّسَانِ يَقْطَعُ الْآجَالَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Restraining the tongue is [a means of attaining] fortune and authority while setting it free is [a cause of] destruction

ضَبْطُ اللِّسَانِ مُلْكٌ وَإِطْلَاقُهُ هُلْكٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

If you restrain your tongue, it will save you and if you set it free, it will ruin you

لِسَانُكَ إِنْ أَمْسَكْتَهُ [إِنْ أَسْكَتَّهُ‏] أَنْجَاكَ وَإِنْ أَطْلَقْتَهُ أَرْدَاكَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who does not control his tongue regrets

مَنْ لَمْ يَمْلِكْ لِسَانَهُ يَنْدَمْ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who imprisons his tongue remains safe from regret

مَنْ سَجَنَ لِسَانَهُ أَمِنَ مِنْ نَدَمِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who makes his tongue his master has decreed his own death

مَنْ أَمَّرَ عَلَيْهِ لِسَانَهُ قَضَى بِحَتْفِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who restrains his tongue is safe from regret

مَنْ أَمْسَكَ لِسَانَهُ أَمِنَ نَدَمَهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who protects his tongue honours himself

مَنْ حَفِظَ لِسَانَهُ أَكْرَمَ نَفْسَهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who sets his tongue free demonstrates his own foolishness

مَنْ أَطْلَقَ لِسَانَهُ أَبَانَ عَنْ سُخْفِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Guarding the tongue is part of faith

مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ حِفْظُ اللِّسَانِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who does not guard his tongue has not completed his faith

مَا عَقَدَ إِيمَانَهُ مَنْ لَمْ يَحْفَظْ لِسَانَهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not talk so much that you annoy others and do not speak so less that you fall [in the eyes of others]

لَا تُكْثِرْ فَتُضْجِرَ وَلَا تُفَرِّطْ فَتَسْقُطَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

None is careful of evil in his actions but he who is careful of evil in his speech

لَا يَتَّقِي الشَّرَّ فِي فِعْلِهِ إِلَّا مَنْ يَتَّقِيهِ فِي قَوْلِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Nothing is more beneficial for a human being than guarding the tongue and doing good to others

لَا شَيْ‏ءَ أَعْوَدُ عَلَى الْإِنْسَانِ مِنْ حِفْظِ اللِّسَانِ وَبَذْلِ الْإِحْسَانِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Know that the tongue is a part of a person’s body, so when he desists, speech will not assist him and when he opens up [and is ready to speak], speech will not give him time to pause

أَلَا وَإِنَّ اللِّسَانَ بَضْعَةٌ مِنَ الْإِنْسَانِ فَلَا يُسْعِدُهُ الْقَوْلُ إِذَا امْتَنَعَ وَلَا يُمْهِلُهُ النُّطْقُ إِذَا اتَّسَعَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The slip of the tongue is more harmful than the thrust of the spearhead

زَلَّةُ اللِّسَانِ أَنْكَى مِنْ إِصَابَةِ السِّنَانِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The slip of the tongue causes the greatest destruction

زَلَّةُ اللِّسَانِ أَشَدُّ هَلَاكٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The slips of the tongue cannot be controlled

لَا تُمْلَكُ عَثَرَاتُ اللِّسَانِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

he worst disease is vainglory

أَدْوَأُ الدَّاءِ الصَّلَفُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Beware of flattery, for indeed flattery is not from the characteristics of faith [and the faithful]

إِيَّاكَ وَالْمَلَقَ فَإِنَّ الْمَلَقَ لَيْسَ مِنْ خَلَائِقِ الْإِيمَانِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many a [show of ostentation and] vainglory brings about loss

رُبَّ صَلَفٍ أَوْرَثَ تَلَفاً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

You must acquire knowledge, for indeed it is an honourable heritage

شَيْنُ الْعِلْمِ الصَّلَفُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Flattery is not part of the character of Prophets

لَيْسَ الْمَلَقُ مِنْ خُلُقِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One whose flattery increases, his [sincere] joyfulness is not recognized

مَنْ كَثُرَ مَلَقُهُ لَمْ يُعْرَفْ بِشْرُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Insinuation is the severest punishment for the intelligent one

التَّعْرِيضُ لِلْعَاقِلِ أَشَدُّ عِتَابِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Be pleased with what you say if it is free from mistakes

افْرَحْ بِمَا تَنْطِقُ بِهِ إِذَا كَانَ عَرْياً مِنَ الْخَطَإِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The person most prepared to [give a] reply is one who does not get angry

أَحْضَرُ النَّاسِ جَوَاباً مَنْ لَمْ يَغْضَبْ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily polite speech and the propagation of peace are forms of worship

إِنَّ مِنَ الْعِبَادَةِ لِينَ الْكَلَامِ وَإِفْشَاءَ السَّلَامِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Train your ears to listen well and do not pay attention to that which does not increase anything useful for you by listening to it, for verily this corrodes the hearts and leads to dispraise

عَوِّدْ أُذُنَكَ حُسْنَ الِاسْتِمَاعِ وَلَا تَصْغِ إِلَى مَا لَا يَزِيدُ فِي صَلَاحِكَ اسْتِمَاعُهُ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يُصْدِي الْقُلُوبَ وَيُوجِبُ الْمَذَامَّ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

For every statement there is a reply

لِكُلِّ قَوْلٍ جَوَابٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The tongue of the neglectful is short

لِسَانُ الْمُقَصِّرِ قَصِيرٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who insists [too much] makes others fed up of him

مَنْ أَبْرَمَ سُئِمَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who asks for that which is above his rank deserves to be deprived

مَنْ سَأَلَ فَوْقَ قَدْرِهِ اسْتَحَقَّ الْحِرْمَانَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who hastens to reply does not arrive at the right [answer]

مَنْ أَسْرَعَ فِي الْجَوَابِ لَمْ يُدْرِكِ الصَّوَابَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not argue with a vile person for he will be bold [and disrespectful] with you

لَا تُلَاحِ الدَّنِيَّ فَيَجْتَرِئَ عَلَيْكَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not habituate yourself to taking oaths, for verily the one who swears excessively is not safe from sin

لَا تُعَوِّدْ نَفْسَكَ الْيَمِينَ فَإِنَّ الحَلَّافَ لَا يَسْلَمُ مِنَ الْإِثْمِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech