164 – Muhammad ibn Ismaʿil ibn Ibrahim al-ʿAnazi narrated to us; Abu Shujaʿ narrated to us; he said: ʿAli ibn Abi Talib wrote to Salman al-Farisi:

“As for what follows: The likeness of this world is that of a snake—smooth to the touch, yet deadly with its venom. So turn away from whatever in it impresses you, for little of it will stay with you. Lay aside its worries, for you are certain to part from it. And whenever you are happiest in it, be at that very moment most on guard against it; for whoever keeps its company, whenever he grows easy in some delight of it, a misfortune snatches him away from it. And peace.”