Saadi
Saadi
arrows hands advice
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.
joy sorrow harbinger
That sorrow which is the harbinger of joy is preferable to the joy which is followed by sorrow.
kindness anger people
Anger that has no limit causes terror, and unseasonable kindness does away with respect. Be not so severe as to cause disgust, nor so lenient as to make people presume.
deeds holiness flesh
Holiness comes by holy deeds. Not starving flesh of daily needs.
greatness quality obedience
Obedience insures greatness, whilst disobedience leads to a repulse. Whosoever possesseth the qualities of righteousness placeth his head on the threshold of obedience.
war mind enemy
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.
bird warning may
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.
essence advice may
It is wrong to follow the advice of an adversary; nevertheless it is right to hear it, that you may do the contrary; and this is the essence of good policy.
wise men riches
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.
dog grateful men
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.
haste waste
Whatever is produced in haste goes hastily to waste.
pride ancestry virtue
Pride thyself on what virtue thou hast, and not on thy parentage.
practice carnegie carnegie-hall
How do I get to Carnegie Hall? Practice. Practice. Practice.
wise accomplishment wit
To be over much facetious is the accomplishment of courtiers and blemish of the wise.