Well-meant techniques such as arbitrary self-mortification, are useless.

among roses, be a rose, among thorns, be a thorn

Why did I do such-and-such a thing?' is all very well. But what about 'How otherwise could I have done it?'.

The clothes may vary, but the person is the same.

Saadi: Be a true renouncer, (zahid) and [you can even] ware satin.

The Sufi saying has it: "God, to the bee, is something which has TWO stings!

There is something in man which can detect real love. We rub it out, or muffle it, by substitute-love.

In the distorting mirror of your mind, an angel can seem to have a devil's face.

A man must be a Salomon before his magical ring will work