Saadi Quotes & Sayings

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

Obedience insures greatness, whilst disobedience leads to a repulse. Whosoever possesseth the qualities of righteousness placeth his head on the threshold of obedience. — Saadi

Virtue is in the mind, not in the appearance. — 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

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

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

If wisdom was to cease throughout the world, no one would suspect himself of ignorance. — Saadi

It is not long before those who are obedient in service obtain command. — Saadi

The heart is like a musical instrument of many strings, all the chords of which require putting in harmony. — Saadi

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. — Saadi

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

He who, when he hath the power, doeth not good, when he loses the means will suffer distress. There is not a more unfortunate wretch than the oppressor; for in the day of adversity nobody is his friend. — Saadi

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

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

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

Make no friendship with an elephant keeper If you have no room to entertain an elephant — Saadi

He who is a slave to his stomach seldom worships God. — Saadi

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

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

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

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

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

The rose and the thorn, and sorrow and gladness are linked together. — Saadi

Whoever recounts to you the faults of your neighbour will doubtless expose your defects to others. — 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

Pride thyself on what virtue thou hast, and not on thy parentage. — Saadi

Where the hand of tyranny is long we do not see the lips of men open with laughter. — 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

All human beings are limbs of the same body. God created them from the same essence. If one part of the body suffers pain, then the whole body is affected. If you are indifferent to this pain, you cannot be called a human being. — 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

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

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

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

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

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

Whatever makes an impression on the heart seems lovely in the eye. — Saadi

He who learns the rules of wisdom, without conforming to them in his life, is like a man who labored in his fields, but did not sow — Saadi

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

You who feel no pain at the suffering of others It is not fitting for you to be called human. — 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

The lover I am; it befits me to burn;
but what is the reason for your weeping and burning?
The candle replied: 'Oh my ill-fated lover,
a honey-sweet [shirin] friend went away from me.
Someone like Shirin has deserted me;
there is fire on my head, as it was on Farhad's.'
The candle continued, while a painful flood
each moment gushed down on his yellow cheeks:
'Pretender, this love is not your game,
as you have no patience, no strength to stand.
Untouched you shrink from a single flame,
whereas I stand still until I am consumed.
If the fire of love has scorched your wings,
look at me: it burned me from head to foot. — Saadi

A peace-mingling falsehood is preferable to a mischief-stirring truth. — 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

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

A little beauty is preferable to much wealth. — Saadi

The rose and thorn, the treasure and dragon, joy and sorrow, all mingle into one. — Saadi

Take care what you say before a wall, as you cannot tell who may be behind it. — Saadi

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

A handsome woman is a jewel; a good woman is a treasure. — Saadi

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

The world is not a courtroom There is no judge no jury no plaintiff. This is a caravan filled with eccentric beings telling wondrous stories about God. — 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

I fear God and next to God I mostly fear them that fear him not. — Saadi

It is safer to be silent than to reveal one's secret to any one, and telling him not to mention it. — Saadi

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

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

Keep belly lightly loaded, if mind would wisdom see;For bodies crammed to bursting, make empty souls to be. — Saadi

Inflict not on an enemy every injury in your power, for he may afterwards become your friend. — Saadi

The wise man tells not what he knows. It is not prudent to sport with one's head by revealing the king's secrets. — Saadi

Poverty snatches the reins out of the hand of piety. — 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

Capacity without education is deplorable, and education without capacity is thrown away. — Saadi

To tell a falsehood is like the cut of a saber: for though the wound may heal, the scar of it will remain. — Saadi

Wherever the tree of beneficence takes root, it sends forth branches beyond the sky! — Saadi

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

To the eye of enmity virtue appears the ugliest blemish. — Saadi

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

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

A tree, freshly rooted, may be pulled up by one man on his own. Give it time, and it will not be moved, even with a crane — Saadi

Who eat their corn while yet 'tis green
At the true harvest can but glean. — Saadi

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

Of journeying the benefits are many: the freshness it bringeth to the heart, the seeing and hearing of marvelous things, the delight of beholding new cities, the meeting of unknown friends, and the learning of high manners. — Saadi

Much contention and strife will arise in that house where the wife shall get up dissatisfied with her husband. — Saadi

No reliance can be placed on the friendship of kings, nor vain hope put in the melodious voice of boys; for that passes away like a vision, and this vanishes like a dream. — Saadi

A lovely face is the solace of wounded hearts and the key of locked-up gates. — Saadi

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

That which is not allotted the hand cannot reach; what is allotted you will find wherever you may be. — Saadi

Independence is of more value than any gifts; and to receive gifts is to lose it. — Saadi

A traveler without knowledge is a bird without wings. — Saadi

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

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

When the ruler is obedient to God, God is his protector and friend. — Saadi

In the sea there are countless treasures,
But if you desire safety, it is on the shore. — Saadi

There is no great difficulty to separate the soul from the body, but it is not so easy to restore life to the dead. — Saadi

Holiness comes by holy deeds. Not starving flesh of daily needs. — Saadi

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

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

Posion kills only where there is no antidote. — Saadi

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

The rich man is everywhere expected and at home. — Saadi

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. — Saadi

If thou tellest the sorrows of thy heart, let it be to him in whose countenance thou mayst be assured of prompt consolation. — Saadi

Though someday we may become as eloquent as Sahban, but we might also miss the essence of the Forgiving One. — Saadi

The sons of Adam are limbs of each other, Having been created of one essence. When the calamity of time affects one limb, the other limbs cannot remain at rest. If you have no sympathy for the troubles of others, You are unworthy to be called by the name of a human. — 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

Be not in the desire of thine own ease. — Saadi

A little and a little, collected together, becomes a great deal; the heap in the barn consists of single grains, and drop and drop make the inundation. — Saadi