Nahj al-Balāgha

ومن كلام له (عليه السلام) لمّا عزموا على بيعة عثمان

When the Consultative Committee (or Shūrā) decided to swear allegiance to ‘Uthmān, Amīr al-mu’minīn said:

لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمْ أَنَّي أَحَقُّ بِهَا مِنْ غَيْرِي، وَوَاللهِ لاَسْلِمَنَّ مَاسَلِمَتْ أُمُورُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ، وَلَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِا جَوْرٌ إِلاَّ عَلَيَّ خَاصَّةً، الْتمَاساً لاِجْرِ ذلِكَ وَفَضْلِهِ، وَزُهْداً فِيَما تَنافَسْتُمُوهُ مِنْ زُخْرُفِهِ وَزِبْرِجِهِ.

You have certainly known that I am the most rightful of all others for the Caliphate. By Allāh, so long as the affairs of Muslims remain intact and there is no oppression in it save on myself I shall keep quiet seeking reward for it (from Allāh) and keeping aloof from its attractions and allurements for which you aspire.