Detailed Explanation — Wisdom (8): When the world moves towards someone (with its blessings), it borrows the qualities of others. And when it turns away from it, it takes away its own qualities.

This wisdom from Imam Ali (a.s.) offers a profound insight into the nature of human existence and the transient nature of worldly success. The historical context of this saying can be traced back to a time when the Islamic community was facing various social and economic challenges, particularly during the early days of Imam Ali’s caliphate, when the allure of worldly wealth and prosperity was becoming increasingly prominent.

The central theme of this wisdom is the impermanence of worldly achievements and the way they can influence human behavior. When the world bestows its blessings upon someone, that person often finds themselves borrowing qualities from others, as they seek to enhance their own status. This suggests that success in the eyes of society is frequently contingent upon the attributes and virtues of those around us, which is inherently temporary.

Imam Ali (a.s.) also highlights a critical truth: when the world turns away from an individual, it can strip away their own inherent qualities. This reflects a harsh reality where the pursuit of worldly success can lead individuals to neglect their personal virtues and moral values, which are essential to their true identity.

From this wisdom, we learn that rather than chasing after fleeting worldly pleasures, we should focus on cultivating our inner virtues and moral character. It emphasizes the importance of self-worth and self-confidence, reminding us that our true value lies not in external validation, but in our own character and ethical attributes. This saying serves as a timeless reminder to prioritize personal integrity over the transient allure of worldly success.