Short wonderful maxims, full of noble morals, were reported on the authority of Imam Abu` Ja'far Muhammad Al-Baqir, peace be on him, who was born on Rajab 1. The following are some of them:

1. "If you can deal with anyone and do him a favor, do that."

2. "Flatter the hypocrite with your tongue. Make your love sincere to the believer. When a Jew associates with you, associate well with him.

3. "Nothing is mixed with a thing better than (mixing) clemency with knowledge.

4. "Assume the truth. Leave that which does not concern you. Avoid your enemy. Be careful of your friends except the trusty one who fears Allah. Do not make friends with the sinner. Do not inform him of your secrets. Ask the advice of those who fear Allah.

5. "The friendship of twenty years is kinship.

6. "The decree of Allah is good for the believer.

7. "He for whom Allah does not make a preacher from his own self, the preaching of people do not avail him."

8. "He whose outward (deeds) are heavier than his inward (deeds), his scales are light.

9. "How many a person meets a person and says to him: may Allah ruin your enemy, and he has no enemy except Allah.

10. "He who disobeys Allah does not recognize Him."

11. "The need with the one who has recently gotten property is like the dirham in the mouth of the snake. You need him, and you are in danger.

12. "Know the love in the heart of your brother through what he has in your heart.

13. "Faith is love and hatred."

14. "Four (acts) are among the treasures of kindness: Concealing the need, concealing the alms, concealing the pain, and concealing, the misfortune.

15. "He whose tongue is truthful, his acts grow. He whose intention is good, his daily-bread increases. He whose kindness to his family is good, Allah prolongs his life.

16. "Humbleness is that you should be satisfied with the humble sitting-place, that you should greet whomever you meet, and that you should leave the dispute even if you are right."