After people paid their allegiance to him, Imam Ali (AS) said: The truth and the falsehood are in constant battle, and each has its supporters. There is no surprise if the falsehood is victorious; it has been the same from old days. And although the supporters of the truth are less, perhaps one day their number will expand and they become victorious, but it is less probable that a lost thing will return [1].
[1] Nahjul Balaghah, Sermon 16.