Nahj al-Balāgha 1, narration 144

al-Sharīf al-Raḍī · World likened to a deceptive serpent

2

Arabic text

١١٩. وَقَالَ (عليه ‏السلام): مَثَلُ الدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ الْحَيَّةِ لَيِّنٌ مَسُّهَا وَالسَّمُّ النَّاقِعُ فِى جَوْفِهَا يَهْوِى إِلَيْهَا الْغِرُّ الْجَاهِلُ وَيَحْذَرُهَا ذُو اللُّبِّ الْعَاقِلُ.

Translation

119. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The example of the world is like a serpent. It is soft to the touch but its inside is full of venom. An ignorant person who has fallen into deceit is attracted towards it but a wise and intelligent man keeps on his guard against it.

Translation: Sayed Ali Raza — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.

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