Quotes by Sufis - Page 2

Anyone can see that an ass laden with books remains a donkey. A human being laden with the undigested results of a tussle with thoughts and books, however, still passes for wise.

Idries Shah

No surgeon can treat the wounds of the tongue.

Idries Shah

Proverbs and truisms are for this reason dangerous, because they produce blindness or non-thought.

Idries Shah

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

Life is not only Newton, it is also Milton.

Wasif Ali Wasif

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

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