Idries Shah Quotes - Page 2

The function of a nutrient is to become transmuted, not to leave unaltered traces.
Idries Shah
Because there is a word for perfection, people will always imagine that they know it.
Idries Shah
Before the antidote arrives from Iraq The man with snake-bite will be dead.
Idries Shah
Sufis are those who have expunged from their minds the human tendencies of envy and enmity.
Idries Shah
Man (and woman) has an infinite capacity for self-development. Equally, he has an infinite capacity for self-destruction. A human being may be clinically alive and yet, despite all appearances, spiritually dead.
Idries Shah
If you assume that it is there, you will generally not be far off the truth.
Idries Shah
Of whom can we think well when it is believed that if nothing bad is done to you, this has been a kindness?
Idries Shah
Sufism is therefore not 'Do as I say and not as I do', or even 'Do as I do', but 'Experience and you will know'.
Idries Shah
Knowledge gives nothing to a man until he gives everything to it.
Idries Shah
Humility is a teacher of itself. It is learnt by means of its practise.
Idries Shah
He who is fortunately enlightened [the Sufi]Knows that sophistry is from the devil and love from Adam.
Idries Shah
Sufism," according to the Sufi, "is an adventure in living, necessary adventure.
Idries Shah
If, from time to time, you give up expectation, you will be able to perceive what it is you are getting.
Idries Shah
The teaching must, of course, work with the best part of the individual, must be directed to his or her real capacity.
Idries Shah
Nobody can stand between you and knowledge if you are fit for it.
Idries Shah
To Him who has sense, a sign is enoughFor the heedless, however, a thousand expositions are not enough.
Idries Shah
Sufism is experience, and hence not to be defined – imprisoned – in perennial, static categories.
Idries Shah
Definitions from Mulla Do-PiazaPatience: A support for the disappointed.
Idries Shah
The would-be Sufi needs guidance precisely because books, texts, while telling you what is needed, do not tell you when.
Idries Shah
Everyone does not know the secrets of TruthThe States of Truth are not evidential.
Idries Shah
Knowledge is something which you can use.Belief is something which uses you.
Idries Shah
Sufism, the "secret tradition," is not available on the basis of assumptions which belong to another world, the world of intellect.
Idries Shah
Much smoke has been seen, and caused great fear of fire — even when no fire ensued.
Idries Shah
ANDAKI:tEFFORT IS NOT EFFORT WITHOUT ZAMAN, MAKAN, IKHWAN (RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT PEOPLE).
Idries Shah
The word 'choice' is a fraud while people choose only what they have been taught to choose.
Idries Shah
Sandals. The Sufi teacher Ghulam-Shah was asked what pattern he used in formulating his courses for disciples. He said: 'Barefoot until you can get sandals, sandals until you can manage boots.
Idries Shah
If you really want to learn, do not be surprised if someone tries to teach you. And do not lightly reject the method.
Idries Shah
If you want to strengthen an enemy and make him exult - hate him.
Idries Shah
A book, for the Sufis, is an instrument as much as it is something to give information.
Idries Shah
What is sometimes thought to be clever is, significantly often, merely an advanced form of foolishness.
Idries Shah
If wine is the enemy of religion, I shall devour the enemy of religion.
Idries Shah
Opinion is usually something which people have when they lack comprehensive information.
Idries Shah
Brave is the thief who carries a lamp in his hand.
Idries Shah
Inner Knowledge -- You want to become wise in one lesson: First become a real human being.
Idries Shah
Imagination blocks you like a bolt on a door. Burn that bar. (Rumi)
Idries Shah
The secret protects itself. It is found only in the spirit and practice of the Work.
Idries Shah
From time to time ponder whether you are unconsciously saying:'Truth is what I happen to be thinking at this moment.
Idries Shah
The donkey which brought you to this door must be dismissed if you want to get through it’.
Idries Shah
Voice in the nightA voice whispered to me last night: 'There is no such thing as a voice whispering in the night!
Idries Shah
Helping othersI order you to assist any oppressed person, whether he is a Moslem or not.
Idries Shah
Feeling important is a vice, not a virtue, however concealed as participation in something noble.
Idries Shah
Superior experience and knowledge will be made available to a man or woman in exact accordance with his worth, capacity and earning of it
Idries Shah
Those who can’t, try: those who can, don’t have to.
Idries Shah
When the human being says:'It is not true...'He may mean:'I don't know about it, so I think it is untrue.'Or:'I don't like it.
Idries Shah
RemedyYour 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
Patience is the food of understanding.
Idries Shah
Progress comes through capacity to learn, and is irresistible.
Idries Shah
The Sufi saying has it: "God, to the bee, is something which has TWO stings!
Idries Shah
No practice exists in isolation.
Idries Shah
Only the search for truth is valid, the desire for wisdom the motive. The method is assimilation, not study.
Idries Shah
Definitions from Mulla Do-PiazaBribetSubstitute for law, which is a substitute for justice.
Idries Shah
Rumi speaks of people who rely upon the written word as sometimes being no more than donkeys laden with books.
Idries Shah
Man (and woman) has an infinite capacity for self-development. Equally, he has an infinite capacity for self-destruction.
Idries Shah
If I knew what two and two were – I would say Four!
Idries Shah
Religion, for instance, cannot be accepted or rejected out of hand, until the student knows exactly what religion means.
Idries Shah
Be a dog, but don't be a younger brother.Proverb.
Idries Shah
Nothing can defile the Sufi, and he in fact purifies everything.” Abu-Turab al-Nakhsabi.
Idries Shah
I longed to teach, but I had to wait until the desire had left me before I could really do so.
Idries Shah
If the father cannot, the son will finish the task.
Idries Shah
None meets harm who knows his capacity.
Idries Shah