[1] About the people of Jamal (i.e. the enemy in the battle of Jamal) Amīr al-mu’minīn says that they rose thundering, shouting and stampeding but when encounter took place they were seen flying like straw. At one time they made loud claims that they would do this and would do that and now they showed such cowardice as to flee from the battle-field. About himself Amīr al-mu’minīn says, that “We do not threaten the enemy before battle, nor utter boasts, nor terrorise the enemy by raising unnecessary cries because it is not the way of the brave to use the tongue instead of the hand.” That is why on this occasion he said to his comrades. “Beware of excessive talk as it is cowardice.”
