"For those who practise tyranny and deprive others of their rights, I will be harsh and stern, but for those who follow the law, I will be most soft and tender."

“More quotes of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab at EduIslam.”

“Remember, I have not appointed you as commanders and tyrants over the people. I have sent you as leaders instead, so that the people may follow your example. Give the Muslims their rights and do not beat them lest they become abused. Do not praise them unduly, lest they fall into the error of conceit. Do not keep your doors shut in their faces, lest the more powerful of them eat up the weaker ones. And do not behave as if you were superior to them, for that is tyranny over them.”

“I know that you are just a stone and that you can neither do any harm nor give benefit. Had I not seen Messenger of Allah kissing you, I would not have kissed you.”

“Dr. Ali Muhammad as-Sallabi: Umar Ibn al-Khattab, translated by Nasiruddin al-Khattab, International Islamic Publishing House, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2007”

“Muḥammad ibn Sa‘d: At-Tabqaat ul-Kabir, English translation, 2004”