Instructions for Malik al-Ashtar upon his appointment as the governor of Egypt
Nahj al-Balāgha|Volume 1|Book 2|Chapter 53
Nahj al-Balāgha
Book 2, Chapter 53
Instructions for Malik al-Ashtar upon his appointment as the governor of Egypt
وَإِيَّاكَ وَالْإِعْجَابَ بِنَفْسِكَ، وَالثِّقَةَ بِمَا يُعْجِبُكَ مِنْهَا، وَحُبَّ الْإِطْرَاءِ، فَإِنَّ ذلِكَ مِنْ أَوْثَقِ فُرَصِ الشَّيْطَانِ فِي نَفْسِهِ، لِـيَمْحَقَ مَا يَكُونُ مِنْ إِحْسَانِ الْـمُحْسِنِينَ.
You should avoid self-admiration, having reliance in what appears good in yourself and love of exaggerated praise because this is one of the most reliable opportunities for Satan to obliterate the good deeds of the virtuous.