Last Updated on September 6, 2024
The unique culture of the Middle East may be strange to a western man, but you’ll intuitively grasp its main concepts. It’s all about peace, serenity, and personal growth. In addition, knowledge and learning were major goals for Middle-East sages throughout history.
“The biggest value of this wisdom is motivation. When you struggle to complete an essay, for example, a quote might get you going. You’ll be inspired to write it!”, shares Erick Rice, a professional writer at Essay Geeks.
We’ll list 25 inspiring quotes that bring the wisdom of the Middle East closer to our understanding.
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” – Omar Khayyam, Persian astronomer, mathematician, and poet
“A learned man said: The learned men are the lights of the ages. Each is a light in his own time giving light to the people of his time.” – Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali, Persian mystic, jurist, theologian, and philosopher
“The easiest method of acquiring the habit of scholarship is through acquiring the ability to express oneself clearly in discussing and disputing scholarly problems.” – Ibn Khaldun, Arab historiographer and historian
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta, Moroccan scholar
“Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.” – Rumi, Persian poet
“Instead of resisting to changes, surrender. Let life be with you, not against you.” – Shams Tabrizi, Persian
spiritual teacher
“I have learned so much from God that I can no longer call myself a Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Jew.” – Hafez, Persian poet
“Science is the language of the intellect of society. Art is language of the entire human personality.” – Naguib Mahfouz, Egyptian writer
“Come let us be friends for once. Let us make life easy on us. Let us be loved ones and lovers. The earth shall be left to no one.” – Yunus Emre, Turkish poet
“Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation.” – Elif Shafak, Turkish writer
“I am not free and independent; I am a traveler with duties.” – Said Nursi, Kurdish theologian
“Listen to your heart and not your ego. Your ego prompts you to boast of vain assertions to obtain the glory of this world.” – Abdul-Quadir Gilani, Persian sufi
“Don’t depend too much on anyone in this world because even your own shadow leaves you when you are in darkness.” – Ibn Taymiyyah, Arab theologian, logician, jurisconsult, and reformer
“This wordly life is like a shadow. If you try to catch it, you will never be able to do so. If you turn your back towards it, it has no choice but to follow you.” – Ibn Quayyim Al-Jawziyya, medieval Islamic spiritual writer
“The World is three days: As for yesterday, it has vanished, along with all that was in it. As for tomorrow, you may never see it. As for today, it is yours, so work in it.” – Hasan of Basra, Arab scholar
“The real work is in the Heart: Wake up your Heart! Because when the heart is completely awake, Then it needs no Friend.” – Rabia Basri, Sufi mystic
“Between me and You, there is only me. Take away the me, so only You remain.” – Mansur Al-Hallaj, Persian poet
“A little doubt is better than total credulity.” – Al-Ma’arri, Arab poet and philosopher
“Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.” – Saadi, Persian poet
“With passion pray. With passion make love. With passion eat and drink and dance and play. Why look like a dead fish in this ocean of God?” – Rumi, Persian poet
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” – Khalil Gibran, Lebanese poet
“Let love lead your soul. Make it a place to retire to, a kind of monastery cave, a retreat for the deepest core of your being.” – Farid al-Din Attar, Iranian poet
“Knowledge without serenity is an unlit candle; together they are honey-comb; honey without wax is a noble thing; wax without honey is only fit for burning.” – Sanai, Persian poet
“Before I take my last breath, before my last flower withers, I wish to live, I wish to make love, I wish to be in this world close to those who need me, those who I need, in order to learn, comprehend and rediscover that I can be and I want to be better at every moment.” – Ahmad Shamlou, Iranian poet
“With an open mind, seek and listen to all the highest ideals. Consider the most enlightened thoughts. Then choose your path, person by person, each for oneself.” – Zoroaster, Iranian prophet
Inspired? Of course you are! The Middle East has more wisdom to offer than we ever assumed.
