Safety and Security under the Shadow of Religion: “If I am assured that [at least] one trait of goodness is deeply rooted in a person, I will tolerate him because of that trait, and I will turn a blind eye to his lack of any other. However, I do not turn a blind eye to a lack of intellect or [a lack of] devotion [in him], for to lack devotion is to lack inner peace, and one cannot savor life with fear [and uncertainty]. And to lack intellect is to lack life [itself], and such a person can be compared to none but a dead man.”

True Leadership and Servitude: “Do good to anyone whom you wish so that you become their superior; and depend on anyone whom you wish so that you become their captive; and be autonomous from anyone you wish so that you become their peer.”

The One who is Truly Rich: “There is no greater wealth than [possessing a sound] intellect and there is no greater poverty than being [in a state of self-imposed] unawareness.”

Moderation in Everything: “One who engages in extreme displays of hostility and enmity will fall prey to [committing] sins; and the person who restricts this [hostility and enmity in their life] will be victorious.”

The Worth and Honour of the Human Being: “O Kumayl [ibne Ziyad]! Know that the best form of adornment for a believer [man or woman] is: humbleness and unpretentiousness; and his [the believer] beauty lies in chastity; and his [the believer] superiority lies in deep contemplation [on religious and worldly matters] and his [the believer] eminence lies in avoiding meaningless conversation.”

Three Foundational Pillars of Society: “The transient world rests on three factors: The articulate scholar who acts according to the knowledge which he expresses; the affluent individual who is not miserly when it comes to giving his wealth to the people of God, the Noble and Grand; the needy person when he bears [his difficulty] with patience and fortitude. Therefore, when the scholar conceals his knowledge [and does not share it with others who need it], and the rich person is miserly [and does not help the needy people in society] and the underprivileged does not display patience [in the face of adversity], then tribulations and destruction will engulf the world.”

The Mainstays of Repentance: “Repentance [al-tawbah] rests upon four [foundational] pillars: remorse within the heart [for what was performed]; seeking forgiveness with the tongue [verbally repentance]; acting with the limbs [physical repentance] and the firm resolve not to repeat [that bad action again].”

The Truth Worth of One’s Actions: “O Kumayl [ibne Ziyad]! [Know that] it is not important whether you pray and fast and give in charity [in the way of God] – rather what is important is that your prayers [and all other actions] are performed with a pure heart and that [all of your actions] are performed correctly in the presence of God and that [all of your actions] are blended with humility and humbleness.”

The Worth of Knowing Ones’ Self: “The person who ‘purchases’ his self and frees himself is not like the person who ‘sells’ his self and goes towards his own destruction.”

Principles and [Amplified] Sustenance: “It is through having good ethics and principles that the keys to the treasures of sustenance lies.”