حکمت 276: خدایا به تو پناه می برم که ظاهر من… · Saying 276

وَ قَالَ (عليه السلام): اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ تُحَسِّنَ فِي لَامِعَةِ الْعُيُونِ عَلَانِيَتِي وَ تُقَبِّحَ فِيمَا أُبْطِنُ لَكَ سَرِيرَتِي مُحَافِظاً عَلَي رِثَاءِ النَّاسِ مِنْ نَفْسِي بِجَمِيعِ مَا أَنْتَ مُطَّلِعٌ عَلَيْهِ مِنِّي فَأُبْدِيَ لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنَ ظَاهِرِي وَ أُفْضِيَ إِلَيْكَ بِسُوءِ عَمَلِي تَقَرُّباً إِلَي عِبَادِكَ وَ تَبَاعُداً مِنْ مَرْضَاتِكَ

Amir al-Mu'minin, peace be upon him, said: O My Allah! I seek Your protection from this that I may appear to be good in the eyes of the people whilst my inward self may be sinful before You, and that I may guard myself (from sins) only for show before the people although You are aware of all about me. Thus, I appear before the people in good shape although my evil deeds are placed before You. This means achieving nearness to Your creatures but remoteness from Your pleasure.