٢٢٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): بِكَثْرَةِ الصَّمْتِ تَكُونُ الْهَيْبَةُ وَبِالنَّصَفَةِ يَكْثُرُ الْمُوَاصِلُونَ وَبِالْإِفْضَالِ تَعْظُمُ الْأَقْدَارُ وَبِالتَّوَاضُعِ تَتِمُّ النِّعْمَةُ وَبِاحْتِمَالِ الْمُؤَنِ يَجِبُ السُّؤْدُدُ وَبِالسِّيرَةِ الْعَادِلَةِ يُقْهَرُ الْمُنَاوِئُ وَبِالْحِلْمِ عَنِ السَّفِيهِ تَكْثُرُ الْأَنْصَارُ عَلَيْهِ.
224. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Excess of silence produces awe; justice results in more close friends; generosity hightens position; with humility blessings abound in plenty; by facing hardships leadership is achieved; by just behaviour the adversary is overpowered; and with forbearance against a fool there is increase of one’s supporters against him.