Idries Shah Quotes

Top 100 wise famous quotes and sayings by Idries Shah

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Idries Shah Famous Quotes & Sayings

Discover top inspirational quotes from Idries Shah on Wise Famous Quotes.

Idries Shah quotes: What is sometimes thought to be clever is, significantly often, merely an advanced form of foolishness. What is sometimes thought to be clever is, significantly often, merely an advanced form of foolishness.
Idries Shah quotes: Many people who are in reality dead are walking in the streets; many who are in their graves are in reality alive. Many people who are in reality dead are walking in the streets; many who are in their graves are in reality alive.
Idries Shah quotes: The basic urge toward mysticism is never, in the unaltered man, clear enough to be recognized for what it is. The basic urge toward mysticism is never, in the unaltered man, clear enough to be recognized for what it is.
Idries Shah quotes: There can be no spirituality, according to the Sufi masters, without psychology, psychological insight and sociological balance. There can be no spirituality, according to the Sufi masters, without psychology, psychological insight and sociological balance.
Idries Shah quotes: To say "yes" to the Sufi way is to say "no" to imagined escapes. To say "yes" to the Sufi way is to say "no" to imagined escapes.
Idries Shah quotes: The hearts of the noble are the graves of confidences. The hearts of the noble are the graves of confidences.
Idries Shah quotes: Ignorance is the Mother of Opposition Ignorance is the Mother of Opposition
Idries Shah quotes: Definitions from Mulla Do-PiazaDrugs: Source of the mystical experience of the ignorant. Definitions from Mulla Do-Piaza
Drugs: Source of the mystical experience of the ignorant.
Idries Shah quotes: Learn about hornets from those who have been stung by them. Learn about hornets from those who have been stung by them.
Idries Shah quotes: Sufism," according to the Sufi, "is an adventure in living, necessary adventure. Sufism," according to the Sufi, "is an adventure in living, necessary adventure.
Idries Shah quotes: A real secret is something which only one person knows. A real secret is something which only one person knows.
Idries Shah quotes: You may have forgotten the Way: But those who came beforeDid not forget you.Saying of Master Bahaudin Naqshband of Bokhara You may have forgotten the Way:
But those who came before
Did not forget you.
Saying of Master Bahaudin Naqshband of Bokhara
Idries Shah quotes: The learned person who only talks will never Penetrate to the inner heart of humans. The learned person who only talks will never Penetrate to the inner heart of humans.
Idries Shah quotes: Man has less than he suspects of: Time, Friends, Hopes, Qualities.Proverb Man has less than he suspects of: Time, Friends, Hopes, Qualities.
Proverb
Idries Shah quotes: among roses, be a rose, among thorns, be a thorn among roses, be a rose, among thorns, be a thorn
Idries Shah quotes: The Sufis,' runs the saying, 'understand with their hearts what the most learned scholars cannot understand with their minds The Sufis,' runs the saying, 'understand with their hearts what the most learned scholars cannot understand with their minds
Idries Shah quotes: There is no wisdom where there is no common sense: it cannot under those conditions find any expression. There is no wisdom where there is no common sense: it cannot under those conditions find any expression.
Idries Shah quotes: Sufism, they say, is that which enables one to understand religion, irrespective of its current outward form. Sufism, they say, is that which enables one to understand religion, irrespective of its current outward form.
Idries Shah quotes: MAGHRIBI: Learning is in activity. Learning through words alone is minor activity. MAGHRIBI: Learning is in activity. Learning through words alone is minor activity.
Idries Shah quotes: Do not tell your secrets to everyone in this headquarters, Earth. We have surveyed it well. There was nobody to whom to entrust secrets. Do not tell your secrets to everyone in this headquarters, Earth. We have surveyed it well. There was nobody to whom to entrust secrets.
Idries Shah quotes: The answer to a fool is silence. (Proverb) The answer to a fool is silence. (Proverb)
Idries Shah quotes: Now that I have found thee, I know that in the first step I took, I moved away from thee. Now that I have found thee, I know that in the first step I took, I moved away from thee.
Idries Shah quotes: Forms have changed through the centuries in obedience to the external world to which all forms belong. Forms have changed through the centuries in obedience to the external world to which all forms belong.
Idries Shah quotes: MAN: Kick him-he'll forgive you. Flatter him-he may or may not see through you. But ignore him and he'll hate you MAN: Kick him-he'll forgive you. Flatter him-he may or may not see through you. But ignore him and he'll hate you
Idries Shah quotes: A motto of the human race: Let me do as I like, and give me approval as well. A motto of the human race: Let me do as I like, and give me approval as well.
Idries Shah quotes: Your medicine is in you, and you do not observe it. Your ailment is from yourself, and you do not register it. Your medicine is in you, and you do not observe it. Your ailment is from yourself, and you do not register it.
Idries Shah quotes: Hit your hand on a stone and expect it to hurt. Hit your hand on a stone and expect it to hurt.
Idries Shah quotes: Saying of the ProphetThe TongueA man slips with his tongue more than with his feet. Saying of the Prophet
The Tongue
A man slips with his tongue more than with his feet.
Idries Shah quotes: You make me a sinner if you stop me giving you hospitality. You make me a sinner if you stop me giving you hospitality.
Idries Shah quotes: Enlightenment must come little by little - otherwise it would overwhelm. Enlightenment must come little by little - otherwise it would overwhelm.
Idries Shah quotes: The people of the world have a fixed destiny. But the spiritually developed receive what is "not" in their destiny. The people of the world have a fixed destiny. But the spiritually developed receive what is "not" in their destiny.
Idries Shah quotes: I longed to teach, but I had to wait until the desire had left me before I could really do so. I longed to teach, but I had to wait until the desire had left me before I could really do so.
Idries Shah quotes: Patience is bitter, but bears a sweet fruit. Patience is bitter, but bears a sweet fruit.
Idries Shah quotes: If you give what can be taken, you are not really giving. Take what you are given, not what you want to be given. Give what cannot be taken. If you give what can be taken, you are not really giving. Take what you are given, not what you want to be given. Give what cannot be taken.
Idries Shah quotes: Remember the proverb: 'A sign is enough for the alert, but a thousand counsels are not enough for the negligent. Remember the proverb: 'A sign is enough for the alert, but a thousand counsels are not enough for the negligent.
Idries Shah quotes: Saying of the ProphetStruggleThe holy warrior is he who struggles with himself. Saying of the Prophet
Struggle
The holy warrior is he who struggles with himself.
Idries Shah quotes: The Sufis say, "This is not a religion; it is religion The Sufis say, "This is not a religion; it is religion
Idries Shah quotes: Opportunity's precious, and time is a sword. Opportunity's precious, and time is a sword.
Idries Shah quotes: HE is a Master who may teach without it being totally labelled teaching; HE is a student who can learn without being obsessed by learning. HE is a Master who may teach without it being totally labelled teaching; HE is a student who can learn without being obsessed by learning.
Idries Shah quotes: Saadi's dictum, in the Bostan: 'The Path is not in the rosary, the prayer-mat and the robe Saadi's dictum, in the Bostan: 'The Path is not in the rosary, the prayer-mat and the robe
Idries Shah quotes: Saying of the ProphetFoodNobody has eaten better food than that won by his own labour. Saying of the Prophet
Food
Nobody has eaten better food than that won by his own labour.
Idries Shah quotes: Definitions from Mulla Do-PiazaAdherent:Someone who will believe anything except what he should. Definitions from Mulla Do-Piaza
Adherent:
Someone who will believe anything except what he should.
Idries Shah quotes: The problem is that the spurious, the unreal, the untrue is so much easier to find that it is in danger of becoming the norm. The problem is that the spurious, the unreal, the untrue is so much easier to find that it is in danger of becoming the norm.
Idries Shah quotes: He is the completed Man who, from his completeness, performs, with his Mastership, the work of a slave. He is the completed Man who, from his completeness, performs, with his Mastership, the work of a slave.
Idries Shah quotes: The Apparent is the Bridge to the Real The Apparent is the Bridge to the Real
Idries Shah quotes: Disappointment cannot exist without expectation. The expected apricot is never as sweet when it reaches the mouth. Disappointment cannot exist without expectation. The expected apricot is never as sweet when it reaches the mouth.
Idries Shah quotes: Truth has no form. Truth has no form.
Idries Shah quotes: Why do people always wonder whether books are any good, without wondering whether they are themselves in a state to profit from them? Why do people always wonder whether books are any good, without wondering whether they are themselves in a state to profit from them?
Idries Shah quotes: The significance of the dwelling is in the dweller. The significance of the dwelling is in the dweller.
Idries Shah quotes: Knowledge cannot be attained except through humility. Knowledge cannot be attained except through humility.
Idries Shah quotes: EPITAPH OF JALALUDIN RUMIWhen we are dead, seek not our tomb in the earth, but find it in the hearts of men. EPITAPH OF JALALUDIN RUMI
When we are dead, seek not our tomb in the earth, but find it in the hearts of men.
Idries Shah quotes: No duty is ignoble. What can be ignoble is the sight of people trying not to be ignoble. No duty is ignoble. What can be ignoble is the sight of people trying not to be ignoble.
Idries Shah quotes: The aspirant has to be guided by a mentor. The stage at which this guidance can take effect is seldom, if ever, perceptible to the learner. The aspirant has to be guided by a mentor. The stage at which this guidance can take effect is seldom, if ever, perceptible to the learner.
Idries Shah quotes: SENTENCES OF THE KHAJAGANGURGANI: The teacher and the taught together produce the teaching. SENTENCES OF THE KHAJAGAN
GURGANI:
The teacher and the taught together produce the teaching.
Idries Shah quotes: Whoever knows God, does not (any longer) say "God". Whoever knows God, does not (any longer) say "God".
Idries Shah quotes: Because there is a word for perfection, people will always imagine that they know it. Because there is a word for perfection, people will always imagine that they know it.
Idries Shah quotes: From the beginning, from the age of Adam to the time of kingship: from the powerful, pardon: from the poor, sins. From the beginning, from the age of Adam to the time of kingship: from the powerful, pardon: from the poor, sins.
Idries Shah quotes: Knowledge. How curious that a man who closes his hand upon air so often thinks that he has a ruby within his grasp. Knowledge. How curious that a man who closes his hand upon air so often thinks that he has a ruby within his grasp.
Idries Shah quotes: Sometimes a pessimist is only an optimist with extra information. Sometimes a pessimist is only an optimist with extra information.
Idries Shah quotes: However fast you run, or however skilfully, you can't run away from your own feet. However fast you run, or however skilfully, you can't run away from your own feet.
Idries Shah quotes: The laziness of adolescence is a rehearsal for the incapacity of old age. The laziness of adolescence is a rehearsal for the incapacity of old age.
Idries Shah quotes: Saying of the ProphetDistributionGod it is who gives: I am only a distributor. Saying of the Prophet
Distribution
God it is who gives: I am only a distributor.
Idries Shah quotes: Those who say 'I am ready to learn', or 'I am not ready to learn' are as often mistaken as they are correct in their surmise. Those who say 'I am ready to learn', or 'I am not ready to learn' are as often mistaken as they are correct in their surmise.
Idries Shah quotes: A man who believes the word of a donkey in preference to my word does not deserve to be lent anything. A man who believes the word of a donkey in preference to my word does not deserve to be lent anything.
Idries Shah quotes: I am an idol worshipper; for I understand what idol worship means, and the idolater does not. I am an idol worshipper; for I understand what idol worship means, and the idolater does not.
Idries Shah quotes: SENTENCES OF THE KHAJAGANRUDBARI : Heart to heart is an essential means of passing on the secrets of the Path. SENTENCES OF THE KHAJAGAN
RUDBARI : Heart to heart is an essential means of passing on the secrets of the Path.
Idries Shah quotes: A generous person may not have wisdom: but, unlike others, he has the means to gain it. A generous person may not have wisdom: but, unlike others, he has the means to gain it.
Idries Shah quotes: Is your division of Understanding into Greater and Lesser common to all Sufis? Nothing which is put into words is common to all Sufis. Is your division of Understanding into Greater and Lesser common to all Sufis? Nothing which is put into words is common to all Sufis.
Idries Shah quotes: No colour comes after black. No colour comes after black.
Idries Shah quotes: What you are pleased to call Sufism is merely the record of past method. What you are pleased to call Sufism is merely the record of past method.
Idries Shah quotes: No practice exists in isolation. No practice exists in isolation.
Idries Shah quotes: The door of illumination is open to those for whom other doors are closed. The door of illumination is open to those for whom other doors are closed.
Idries Shah quotes: Sufism is the essence of all religions. Sufism is the essence of all religions.
Idries Shah quotes: Sufis aim to refine human consciousness. This is Sufi mysticism: not mystification or magic, but a specific Path. Sufis aim to refine human consciousness. This is Sufi mysticism: not mystification or magic, but a specific Path.
Idries Shah quotes: Sufi secrets are perceived, not understood by words. Sufi secrets are perceived, not understood by words.
Idries Shah quotes: Satisfaction is a treasure which does not decay.Proverb Satisfaction is a treasure which does not decay.
Proverb
Idries Shah quotes: The fruit of timidity is neither gain nor loss. The fruit of timidity is neither gain nor loss.
Idries Shah quotes: RemedyYour medicine is in you, and you do not observe it. Your ailment is from yourself, and you do not register it.Hazrat Ali Remedy
Your medicine is in you, and you do not observe it. Your ailment is from yourself, and you do not register it.
Hazrat Ali
Idries Shah quotes: Who is the wrong person to criticise?You Who is the wrong person to criticise?
You
Idries Shah quotes: Learn to be as analytical about things of which you are credulous as you are of those which you criticise. Learn to be as analytical about things of which you are credulous as you are of those which you criticise.
Idries Shah quotes: As with any other specialisation, teaching is a vocation, open only to those who are truly capable of discharging its functions. As with any other specialisation, teaching is a vocation, open only to those who are truly capable of discharging its functions.
Idries Shah quotes: Whoever gives knowledge to a fool loses itAnd who keeps it from the deserving does wrong. Whoever gives knowledge to a fool loses it
And who keeps it from the deserving does wrong.
Idries Shah quotes: Right time, right place, right people equals success.Wrong time, wrong place, wrong people equals most of the real human history. Right time, right place, right people equals success.
Wrong time, wrong place, wrong people equals most of the real human history.
Idries Shah quotes: One should not pray if that prayer is vanity. One should not pray if that prayer is vanity.
Idries Shah quotes: ServiceI will not serve God like a labourer, in expectation of my wages.Rabia el-Adawia. Service
I will not serve God like a labourer, in expectation of my wages.

Rabia el-Adawia.
Idries Shah quotes: That which is given free is never knowledge. It may be information ... but knowledge does not come in that manner. That which is given free is never knowledge. It may be information ... but knowledge does not come in that manner.
Idries Shah quotes: Study the assumptions behind your actions. Then study the assumptions behind your assumptions. Study the assumptions behind your actions. Then study the assumptions behind your assumptions.
Idries Shah quotes: You have come a long way, and you do not know it. You have a long way to do, and you do know what that means. You have come a long way, and you do not know it. You have a long way to do, and you do know what that means.
Idries Shah quotes: Greed harms you: generosity helps you. This is why it has been said: 'Greed is the mother of incapacity'. Greed harms you: generosity helps you. This is why it has been said: 'Greed is the mother of incapacity'.
Idries Shah quotes: Sufism is experiential Sufism is experiential
Idries Shah quotes: A Sufi school comes into being in order to flourish and disappear, not to leave traces in mechanical ritual, or anthropologically survivals. A Sufi school comes into being in order to flourish and disappear, not to leave traces in mechanical ritual, or anthropologically survivals.
Idries Shah quotes: A short time in the presence of the Friends (the Sufis) is better than a hundred years' sincere, obedient dedication. A short time in the presence of the Friends (the Sufis) is better than a hundred years' sincere, obedient dedication.
Idries Shah quotes: Eat what you desire, but dress like other people. Eat what you desire, but dress like other people.
Idries Shah quotes: Saying of the ProphetDesireDesire not the world, and God will love you. Desire not what others have, and they will love you. Saying of the Prophet
Desire
Desire not the world, and God will love you. Desire not what others have, and they will love you.
Idries Shah quotes: Saying of the ProphetAngerYou ask for a piece of advice. I tell you: 'Do not get angry.' He is strong who can withhold anger. Saying of the Prophet
Anger
You ask for a piece of advice. I tell you: 'Do not get angry.' He is strong who can withhold anger.
Idries Shah quotes: Definitions from Mulla Do-PiazaIntellectual: One who knows no craft. Definitions from Mulla Do-Piaza
Intellectual: One who knows no craft.
Idries Shah quotes: The chicken had his wish, and was magically transformed into a fox. Then he found that he could not digest grain. The chicken had his wish, and was magically transformed into a fox. Then he found that he could not digest grain.
Idries Shah quotes: People who have fallacious objectives are like the barren soil. The flowers grow from soil which is composed of the right objectives. People who have fallacious objectives are like the barren soil. The flowers grow from soil which is composed of the right objectives.
Idries Shah quotes: A Sufi is one who is not bound by anything nor does he bind anything A Sufi is one who is not bound by anything nor does he bind anything
Idries Shah quotes: What goes into a salt-mine becomes salt. What goes into a salt-mine becomes salt.

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