Al-Maʿarri Quotes
The world holds two classes of men; intelligent men without religion, and religious men without intelligence.
They all err - Muslims, Christians, Jews and Magians. There are two kinds of humans - the intelligent, who have no religion, and the religious, who have no intellect.
Hanifs (Muslims) are stumbling, Christians all astray Jews wildered, Magians far on error’s way. We mortals are composed of two great schools Enlightened knaves or else religious fools.
O fools, awake! The rites ye sacred hold Are but a cheat contrived by men of old Who lusted after wealth and gained their lust And died in baseness-and their law is dust.
The inhabitants of the earth are of two sorts: those with brains, but no religion, and those with religion, but no brains.
Reason forbade me many things which, Instinctively, my nature was attracted to; And a perpetual loss I feel if, knowing, I believe a falsehood or deny the truth.
Hold tight to what is most yourself, Don't squander it, don't let your lifeBe governed by what disturbs you.
Make not, when you work a deed of shame, The scoundrel's plea, 'My forbears did the same.
The world holds two classes of men--intelligent men without religion, and religious men withoutintelligence.poet
Good men's actions are naturalWhile a scoundrel's charityIs carefully planned to please.
Some people are like an open grave:You give it the thing you love mostAnd then get nothing in return.
You're given the fruit of one palm tree:Bear it a basin of clear water.Don't trouble with the plight of other palms.