Words That Fell Upon the Qalb (the heart) from Ibn Sīnā
The wisdoms of Ibn Sīnā are a selection of short sayings that touch upon the human qalb (the heart), character, and inner discipline. Although each saying may appear as a simple note on its own, behind it lie fundamental matters such as the discipline of the nafs (the lower self), awareness of mortality, knowledge, adab (propriety), and maturity of the qalb (the heart).
01
"Everything unknown is known through what is known. However, not every known leads to the unknown. For every unknown, there is an appropriate known by which we can know it. From the unknown to the known, there is a path to walk in order to know it. Logic is the science that enables the unknown to be known through the known."
02
"No one is as blind as the one who does not wish to see."
03
"The breadth of life is more important than its length."
04
"Life after death is a concept learned from religions. It is not possible to prove the reality of life after death by believing in religious dogmas and accepting the words of prophets."
05
"The ruh (the spirit) of a human is a lamp, knowledge is its light, and divine wisdom is like the oil of the lamp. If this burns and radiates light, then you are called alive."
06
"There is a spiritual imagination. This faculty can create illnesses, as well as eliminate existing ailments. The body is obliged to obey the commands of the spiritual imagination."
07
"The world is not a place of amusement and play."
08
"I have known and understood that nothing has been known and nothing has been understood."
09
"The world is divided into men who have intellect but no religion, and people who have religion but no intellect."
10
"Man consoles himself, is deceived; but days pass and advance without stopping."
11
"There is no disease that cannot be treated, but there are patients who have no intention of healing."
12
"I fear the ox, for it has a weapon but no intellect."
13
"Science and art abandon the country where they do not find alliance."
14
"A person who knows what he is does not get affected by what some ignorant people say about him."