I said to Abi Ja`far Muhammad b. `Ali al-Rida (as): O son of the Messenger of Allah! Narrate a hadith from your forefathers (as) to me. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather from his forefathers (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: The people will remain in goodness so long as there is variance. If they are equalized, they will be destroyed. He said: I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from his grandfather from his forefathers (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: Were the veil lifted from you, you would not [want to] be buried. He said: I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from his grandfather from his forefathers (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: You cannot attract the people with your wealth, so attract them with a friendly face and a beautiful meeting. Surely, I heard the Messenger of Allah (s) say: “Surely, you cannot attract the people with your wealth, so attract them with your character.” He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather from his forefathers (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: He who reprimands time will prolong his own reprimand. He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather from his forefathers (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: Gathering with evil ones bequeaths having a negative impression of the chosen ones. He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather from his forefathers (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: Animosity toward the servants [of Allah] is the worst provision for the Hereafter. He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather from his forefathers (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: The worth of every person is in what improves him. He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: A person is hidden beneath his tongue. He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: No person who knows his value will be destroyed. He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: Thinking before you act will safeguard you from regret. He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: He who relies on time will struggle. He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: He who only takes from his own opinion has brought risk upon himself. He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: Having few dependants is a simplifier [of life]. He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: He who is filled with pride is destroyed. He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: He who is certain of the Hereafter is generous in giving. He said: So, I said to him: Tell me more, O son of the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: My father narrated to me from my grandfather (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: He who wants wellness for those beneath him will be granted safety from those above him. He said: So, I said to him: This is sufficient for me.