٦٢. وَقَالَ (عليه ‏السلام): إِذَا حُيِّيْتَ بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيِّ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا، وإِذَا أُسْدِيَتْ إِلَيْكَ يَدٌ فَكَافِئْهَا بِمَا يُرْبِي عَلَيْهَا، وَالْفَضْلُ مَعَ ذلِكَ لِلْبَادِئِ.

62. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: If you are met with a greeting, give better greetings in return. If a hand of help is extended to you, do a better favour in return, although the credit would remain with the one who was first.

62. Lorsqu’on te salue réponds par une salutation meilleure. Lorsqu'une main est tendue à toi récompense-la de surcroît, car le mérite en revient à celui qui commence.

Nahj al-Balāgha

Chapter #62