1,355 Quotes by Idries Shah

Day and NightThe night is long: do not shorten it by sleep. The day is fair: do not darken it with wrongdoing.

Give and TakeThe Chief takes less than he is givenAnd gives more than he has taken.

From the beginning, from the age of Adam to the time of kingship: from the powerful, pardon: from the poor, sins.

Better to quarrel with a friend than to support enemies.

People think that they think things, and they also think that they know things. They could usefully give some attention to the question of whether they know what they think and know what they think they know.

Never promise, even by implication, without fulfilling your promise.The only acceptable alternative to completing an undertaking is to over-fulfil it.To betray any promise, explicit or otherwise, will harm you more than it can harm anyone else.

The significance of the dwelling is in the dweller.

The barren branches may appear inelegant: They are, to the cook, the means to make his fire.

What you have to learn is how to find the unworldly in everything.