Solomon Ibn Gabirol Quotes

The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others.

There are four types of men in this world: 1. The man who knows, and knows that he knows; he is wise, so consult him. 2. The man who knows, but doesn't know that he knows; help him not forget what he knows. 3. The man who knows not, and knows that he knows not; teach him. 4. Finally, there is the man who knows not but pretends that he knows; he is a fool, so avoid him.

The test of good manners is to be patient with the bad ones.

The beginning of wisdom is to desire it.

Man is wise only while in search of wisdom; when he imagines he has attained it, he is a fool.

Kings may be judges of the earth, but wise men are the judges of kings.

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

As long as a word remains unspoken, you are its master; once you utter it, you are its slave.

Plan for this world as if you expect to live forever; but plan for the hereafter as if you expect to die tomorrow.

If you want to keep something concealed from your enemy, don't disclose it to your friend.

There are three types of friends: those like food without which you can't live those like medicine which you need occasionally and those like an illness which you never want.

My friend is he who will tell me my faults in private.

Worry over what has not occurred is a serious malady.

The Sage was asked to define good manners? to which he replied, To bear patiently the rude ones.

Riches bring anxiety; wisdom gives peace of mind.

A wise man's question contains half the answer. Unfortunately the other 50% is harder to come by!

A tiny fly can choke a big man.

Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire.

I am better able to retract what I did not say than what I did.

Thou hast created me not from necessity but from grace.

One is punished by the very things by which he sins.

Misfortune may become fortune through patience.

Many men hoard for the future husbands of their wives.

Drink poison rather than worry.

All men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.

Your secret is your prisoner; once you reveal it, you become its slave.

A man’s mind is hidden in his writings: criticism brings it to light.

And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of like nature; and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do.

A wise man's questions contain half the answer.

Faith is the summit of the Torah.