Idries Shah Quotes

You must empty out the dirty water before you fill the pitcher with clean.

What is sometimes thought to be clever is, significantly often, merely an advanced form of foolishness.

If you want to strengthen an enemy and make him exult - hate him.

You are still adrift while you still think that a means is an end.

Sufism, the "secret tradition," is not available on the basis of assumptions which belong to another world, the world of intellect.

The would-be students wish to transcend books.But, ask yourselves: if someone says that books do not contain wisdom, and yet he writes books; books do not contain Sufism, and yet he continues to publish books on Sufism, what is really happening? It really is your duty, and not mine, to ask and to find the answer to that question, if you are interested enough.

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'.

Voice in the nightA voice whispered to me last night: 'There is no such thing as a voice whispering in the night!