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

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

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

Whenever you argue with another wiser than yourself in order that others may admire your wisdom, they will discover your ignorance.

Joy and sorrow, beauty and deformity, equally pass away.

An enemy to whom you show kindness becomes your friend.

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.

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

Be generous, and pleasant-tempered, and forgiving; even as God scatter favors over thee, do thou scatter over the people.

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

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

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

Virtue is in the mind, not in the appearance.

The bad fortune of the good turns their faces up to heaven; the good fortune of the bad bows their heads down to the earth.

The true disciple should aim to live for the gospel, rather than to die for it.

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?

Do to me, O Allah, what is worthy of Thee; And not what is worthy of me.