Imam Ali - In the past I had a brother in faith

[Zaydism]

"In the past I had a brother in faith who was great in my eyes because of how small the world was in his. The desires of his stomach held no power of him. He did not long for what he did not have, and of what he had he did not indulge in much. 

Whenever he spoke people were silenced as he quenched the thirst of the questioners. Even though he was weak and feeble, during times of seriousness he was like the lion of the forest and the serpent of the valley. He would not speak of what troubled him until it had passed. 

Even if he could be exceeded in speaking, he could not be excelled in silence, as he was inclined to keep silent rather than speak. If two choices fell before him, he would ask himself which one was more akin to the longing of his heart and then he would oppose it. 

These qualities are incumbent upon you, so you should acquire them and excel each other in them. Even if you cannot acquire them, know that taking a little is better than leaving a lot."

In the last sentence, “know that taking a little is better than leaving a lot”, what does Imam Ali mean by that?

[dragonxx]

3 hours ago, Mohammad313Ali said:

In the last sentence, “know that taking a little is better than leaving a lot”, what does Imam Ali mean by that?

not sure what he ((عليه السلام)) means by it, but my understanding would be that it's better to try and achieve some of the qualities even though it may be little and you cannot acquire them fully, rather than not try to acquire even a little of the qualities, and therefore leave a lot of necessary qualities behind you completely.

[BlackVeil]

What a wonderful sermon this is. 

[Abu Nur]

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In the last sentence, “know that taking a little is better than leaving a lot”, what does Imam Ali mean by that?

You can find it in first statement:

In the past I had a brother in faith who was great in my eyes because of how small the world was in his. The desires of his stomach held no power of him. He did not long for what he did not have, and of what he had he did not indulge in much. 

I realized that having a little (be it rizq or knowledge) and being thankful for it is very great in value and good for the heart than trying to seek a lot and have possible the heart to be corrupted because you could not be thankful for what you received or that it is impossible for you to practice the knowledge you received or be thankful and satisfied for the rizk of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى).

I know people who have received a lot, but it have only make them more egoistic, selfish and complainers. Also by leaving a lot, they will be all questioned in day of Judgement, so the little to own is better than a lot.

Edited January 21, 2020 by Abu Nur

[Abu Nur]

On the day that every soul shall find present what it has done of good and what it has done of evil, it shall wish that between it and that (evil) there were a long duration of time… (3:30)

Edited January 21, 2020 by Abu Nur

[Abu Nur]

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If two choices fell before him, he would ask himself which one was more akin to the longing of his heart and then he would oppose it.

This one is greatest of quality to have.