Saadi Quotes

Take care how you listen to the voice of the flatterer, who, in return for his little stock, expects to derive from you considerable advantage. If one day you do not comply with his wishes, be imputes to you two hundred defects instead of perfections. ~ Saadi

A dog will never forget the crumb thou gavest him, though thou mayst afterwards throw a hundred stones at his head. ~ Saadi

Be thou good thyself, and let people speak evil of thee; it is better than to be wicked, and that they should consider thee as good. ~ Saadi

دیگران چون بروند از نظر از دل بروند

تو چنان در دل من رفته که جان در بدنی

If others go from sight, they'll go from heart
But you are such as vita in a body in my heart ~ Saadi

A man of virtue, judgment, and prudence speaks not until there is silence. ~ Saadi

Deep in the sea are riches beyond compare. But if you seek safety, it is on the shore. ~ Idries Shah

If thou art of elephant-strength or of lion-claw, still peace is, in my opinion, better than strife. ~ Saadi

Saadi: Be a true renouncer, (zahid) and [you can even] ware satin. ~ Idries Shah

A wise man among the ignorant is as a beautiful girl in the company of blind men. ~ Saadi

Expose not the secret failings of mankind, otherwise you must verily bring scandal upon them and distrust upon yourself. ~ Saadi

He who lives upon the fruit of his own labor, escapes the contempt of haughty benefactors. ~ Saadi

There is a difference between him who claspeth his mistress in his arms, and him whose eyes are fixed on the door expecting her. ~ Saadi

Shut the door of that house of pleasure which you hear resounding with the loud voice of a woman. ~ Saadi

I have often found a small stream at its fountain-head, that, when followed up, carried away the camel with his load. ~ Saadi

The sons of Adam are formed from dust; if not humble as the dust, they fall short of being men. ~ Saadi

He took another steps backward, right into the horse of the Cokyrian soldier we had avoided earlier, bouncing off to land gracelessly upon the ground on his rear end. He stared up at the woman, making no attempt to stand.
"Your horse is very solid," he slurred. "Congratultions on having such a fine mount. ~ Cayla Kluver

When you see contention amongst your enemies, go and sit at ease with your friends; but when you see them of one mind, string your bow, and place stones upon the ramparts. ~ Saadi

Posion kills only where there is no antidote. ~ Saadi

If thou art wise, incline to truth; for truth, not the semblance, remains in its place. ~ Saadi

To him who is stinted of food a boiled turnip will relish like a roast fowl. ~ Saadi

It is better to break off a thousand friendships, than to endure the sight of a single enemy. ~ Saadi

The severity of the master is more useful than the indulgence of the father. ~ Saadi

Most of the birds of the Old World can be found here, as Oman is on a strategic route for migrating birds. ~ Saadi

Whoever has his foe at his mercy, and does not kill him, is his own enemy ~ Saadi

Be sure, either that thou art stronger than thine enemy, or that thou hast a swifter pair of heels. ~ Saadi

O wise man, wash your hands of that friend who associates with your enemies. ~ Saadi

Riches are for the comfort of life, and not life for the accumulation of riches. I asked a holy wise man, "Who is fortunate and who is unfortunate?" He replied: "He was fortunate who ate and sowed, and he was unfortunate who died without having enjoyed. ~ Saadi

He taught people with his best way. He showed his beauty. He was all good so peace be on him and his family. ~ Saadi

When thou seest thine enemy in trouble, curl not thy whiskers in contempt; for in every bone there is marrow, and within every jacket there is a man. ~ Saadi

He who is indifferent to the suffering of others is a traitor to that which is truly human. ~ Saadi

Virtue is in the mind, not in the appearance. ~ Saadi

I have never seen a man lost who was on a straight path. ~ Saadi

None can be so true to your secret as yourself. ~ Saadi

Were the diver to think on the jaws of the shark, he would never lay hands on the precious pearl. ~ Saadi

He who is intoxicated with wine will be sober again in the course of the night, but he who is intoxicated by the cupbearer will not recover his senses until the day of judgement. ~ Saadi

However much you are read in theory, if thou hast no practice thou art ignorant ~ Saadi

You took to the trenches and said: war is more beautiful,
you shall never see my feet again.
I will seek the roads and taverns,
I am the blind poet.
The frowning autumn gives music for colors –
sunset gives me the opulence of roses
and I ask about you. I ask about you
but as a stung man does after something has afflicted his blood.
Peace be . . .
– I do not want your reply. ~ Saadi Youssef

Astride a horse I am not, nor camel-like carry a load,
Subjects I have none, nor follow any sultan's code;
I worry not for what exists, nor fret for what is lost,
I breathe with extreme ease, and live at very little cost. ~ Saadi

The hand of liberality is stronger than the arm of power. ~ Saadi

It's no virtue to gain the whole world. Just gain the heart of one person. ~ Saadi

When Karim and his group heard about Saddam coming, they wanted to kill him, but fate had other ideas. ~ Saadi

Religion is only in the service of the people; it is not in the rosary and the prayer-carpet. ~ Saadi

People are crying up the rich and variegated plumage of the peacock, and he is himself blushing at the sight of his ugly feet. ~ Saadi

Tell no one the secret that you want to keep, although he may be worthy of confidence; for no one will be so careful of your secret as yourself. ~ Saadi

Court the society of a superior, and make much of the opportunity; for in the company of an equal thy good fortune must decline. ~ Saadi

Riches are intended for the comfort of life, and not life for the purpose of hoarding riches. ~ Saadi

Saadi's dictum, in the Bostan: 'The Path is not in the rosary, the prayer-mat and the robe ~ Idries Shah

You may be able to get the bone down your throat
But if it reaches your stomach it will tear your navel.
(Gulistan) ~ Idries Shah

He will deal harshly by a stranger who has not been himself often a traveller or stranger. ~ Saadi

Better hold the hand for coin, though small, Than lose, for one half a dang, it all. ~ Saadi

I fear God the most, but after Him, I fear those who don't fear Him. ~ Saadi

Saadi, what do you think you're doing?" I demanded.
"Well I thought I was helping you. As it turns out, I'm bleeding. ~ Cayla Kluver

To use the hands in making quicklime into mortar is better than to cross them on the breast in attendance on a prince. ~ Saadi

If a gem falls into mud it is still valuable. If dust ascends to heaven, it remains valueless. ~ Saadi

O Contentment, make me rich! for without thee there is no wealth. ~ Saadi

A garden is a delight to the eye and a solace for the soul. ~ Saadi

Poverty snatches the reins out of the hand of piety. ~ Saadi

In the faculty of speech man excels the brute; but if thou utterest what is improper, the brute is they superior. ~ Saadi

Great God, have pity on the wicked, for thou didst everything for the good, when thou madest them good! ~ Saadi

A friend whom you have been gaining during your whole life, you ought not to be displeased with in a moment. A stone is many years becoming a ruby - take care that you do not destroy it in an instant against another stone. ~ Saadi

Poor greedy one, wherever he runs
He's after food, and death is after him.
(Saadi) ~ Idries Shah

No person learned the art of archery from me,
who did not in the end make me his target. ~ Saadi

Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy. ~ Saadi

Reveal not every secret you have to a friend, for how can you tell but that friend may hereafter become and enemy. And bring not all mischief you are able to upon an enemy, for he may one day become your friend. ~ Saadi

Whoever acquires knowledge but does not practice it is as one who ploughs but does not sow. ~ Saadi

The bird alighteth not on the spread net when it beholds another bird in the snare. Take warning by the misfortunes of others, that others may not take example from you. ~ Saadi

Man is, beyond dispute, the most excellent of created beings, and the vilest animal is a dog; but the sages agree that a grateful dog is better than an ungrateful man. ~ Saadi

Two orders of mankind are the enemies of church and state; the king without clemency, and the holy man without learning. ~ Saadi

Better is the sinner who hath thoughts about God, than the saint who hath only the show of sanctity. ~ Saadi

We will walk to God
barefoot:
our feet lacerated,
our limbs wounded. ~ Saadi Youssef

Oman overall has great animal and plant biodiversity because it has mountains, desert, coastal areas and rich coral reefs. ~ Saadi

To be over much facetious is the accomplishment of courtiers and blemish of the wise. ~ Saadi

I have a different idea of what bravery is."
"What-complaisance?"
"In a sense. Acceptance, resiliency. How strong must one be to throw a temper tantrum?"
"Is that what you'd call this? You and your people storm our homeland, take us all prisoner and any form of resistance is a temper tantrum in your eyes?"
He pondered this for a moment, his freckled nose crinkling.
"Yes. ~ Cayla Kluver

However much you study, you cannot know without action.
A donkey laden with books is neither an intellectual nor a wise man.
Empty of essence, what learning has he whether upon him is firewood or book? ~ Saadi

Your love renders you impatient and disturbed.
With such sincerity you have
placed your head at her feet that
you are oblivious to the world.
When in the eyes of your beloved riches don't count, gold and dust are as one to you.
You say that she dwells in your eyes - if they be closed, she is in your mind.
If she demands your life, you place
it in her hand; if she places a sword
upon your head, you hold it forward.
When earthly love produces such confusion and demands such obedience, don't you wonder if travelers of the road of God remain engulfed in the Ocean of Reality? ~ Saadi

The stranger has no friend, unless it be a stranger. ~ Saadi

Patience accomplishes its object, while hurry speeds to its ruin. ~ Saadi

I've learned it's best to approach you from the front, for the sake of my well-being. ~ Cayla Kluver

Avoid that which an enemy tells you to do; for if you follow his advice, you will smite your, knees with the hand of sorrow. If he shows you a road straight as an arrow, turn from it and go the other way. ~ Saadi

Forgiveness is commendable, but apply not ointment to the wound of an oppressor. ~ Saadi

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,
And from they slender store two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one, and with the dole
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.

Attributed to the Gulistan of Moslih Eddin Saadi ~ Hazel Felleman

Whatever is produced in haste goes hastily to waste. ~ Saadi

When the belly is empty, the body becomes spirit; and when it is full, the spirit becomes body. ~ Saadi

Cloves

Where is the scent of cloves coming from?
her hair?
armpit?
or her dress
thrown on the Tunisian rug?
From the third step in the house?
Layla
makes everything smell of cloves.
Layla
is the orchard when it's wet.
She is
what the orchard breathes
when it's watered at night.
Layla knows now
that I am drunk with the scent of cloves,
she stiches together my clouds
and then scatters them together
in a sky like a sheet
as she clasps me.
Layla
feels that my fingers are numb,
over the dunes she knows
my pulse is hers,
my water is hers.
Layla
leaves me sleeping,
rocking between clouds
and cloves. ~ Saadi Youssef

If a piece of worthless stone can bruise a cup of gold, its worth is not increased, nor that of the gold diminished. ~ Saadi

None of you seem to understand ... this is a mental institution ... you came to life only because there is some thing wrong with you ~ Zied Saadi

When a man appreciates only eating and sleeping, what excellence has he over the reptiles? ~ Saadi

Human beings are members of a whole
In creation of one essence and soul
If one member is afflicted with pain
Other members uneasy will remain
If you have no sympathy for human pain
The name of human you cannot retain ~ Saadi

Every person thinks his own intellect perfect, and his own child handsome. ~ Saadi

Liberty is of more value than any gifts; and to receive gifts is to lose it. Be assured that men most commonly seek to oblige thee only that they may engage thee to serve them. ~ Saadi

Every leaf of the tree becomes a page of the book, once the heart is opened and it has learnt to read. ~ Saadi

The beloved of the Almighty are: the rich who have the humility of the poor, and the poor who have the magnanimity of the rich. ~ Saadi

God gives sleep to the bad, in order that the good may be undisturbed. ~ Saadi

So long as money can answer, it were wrong in any business to put the life in danger. ~ Saadi

All is going well so far. There are some remarks here and there and there are some complaints here and there but we expect to resolve those questions or complaints Sunday and the next day. ~ Saadi

Shaselle?"
"What now?" I incredulously exclaimed.
"Do you have plans tomorrow?"
"What?"
"I have a day off duty. We could-"
"No!" I shouted. "What is this? ~ Cayla Kluver

The Roses of Saadi
I wanted you to have roses this morn,
And stuffed a lot of them in my snug dress,
In my tight belt I could not all shoehorn.
The knots gave way, and threw them all around,
To wind and sea they were all gone forlorn
To flow with water, never will come round.
The waves were crimson red as if on fire.
This eve my dress is drenched in their fragrance,
Breathe it and keep it to your heart's desire. ~ Marceline Desbordes-Valmore

Opportunity's precious, and time is a sword. ~ Idries Shah

Q: How can I help myself?
A: By remembering the proverb: 'The Path is not to be found anywhere except in human service', from Saadi. ~ Idries Shah

Obedience is not truly performed by the body of him whose heart is dissatisfied. The shell without a kernel is not fit for store. ~ Saadi