Ibn Gabirol Quotes

A collection of quotes by Ibn Gabirol.

Ibn Gabirol, also known as Solomon ben Judah, was a Sephardic Jewish philosopher and poet who lived in the 11th century in Spain. His works, influenced by both Jewish and Islamic philosophy, explored themes of metaphysics, ethics, and theology. Ibn Gabirol's philosophical ideas had a significant impact on subsequent Jewish and Islamic thinkers, and his poetry, characterized by its rich imagery and introspection, contributed to the development of Hebrew poetry. Despite his remarkable intellect and creativity, much of Ibn Gabirol's personal life remains a mystery, including the exact dates of his birth and death.

Plan for this world as if you expect to live forever; but pl

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

Death

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

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

Secrets

The beginning of wisdom is to desire it.

The beginning of wisdom is to desire it.

Wisdom

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

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

Wisdom

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

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

Silence

There are four types of men in this world: 1. The man who kn

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.

Foolishness Fools

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

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

Friends