Solomon Ibn Gabirol Quotes

The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others.

The test of good manners is to be patient with the bad ones.

The beginning of wisdom is to desire it.

Man is wise only while in search of wisdom; when he imagines he has attained it, he is a fool.

Kings may be judges of the earth, but wise men are the judges of kings.

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

Plan for this world as if you expect to live forever; but plan for the hereafter as if you expect to die tomorrow.

As long as a word remains unspoken, you are its master; once you utter it, you are its slave.

If you want to keep something concealed from your enemy, don't disclose it to your friend.

There are three types of friends: those like food without which you can't live those like medicine which you need occasionally and those like an illness which you never want.

The Sage was asked to define good manners? to which he replied, To bear patiently the rude ones.

My friend is he who will tell me my faults in private.

Worry over what has not occurred is a serious malady.

Riches bring anxiety; wisdom gives peace of mind.

A tiny fly can choke a big man.

A wise man's question contains half the answer. Unfortunately the other 50% is harder to come by!

Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire.

I am better able to retract what I did not say than what I did.

Thou hast created me not from necessity but from grace.

One is punished by the very things by which he sins.

Misfortune may become fortune through patience.

Many men hoard for the future husbands of their wives.

Drink poison rather than worry.

All men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.

Your secret is your prisoner; once you reveal it, you become its slave.

A man’s mind is hidden in his writings: criticism brings it to light.

A wise man's questions contain half the answer.

And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of like nature; and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do.

Faith is the summit of the Torah.

The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others".

A wise man’s questions contain half the answer.

What is the test of good manners? Being able to bear patiently with bad ones.