Verses of Wisdom in Classical Arabic About Morality
- The poet Abd al-Samad ibn al-Mu’adhil expresses in his poem “The Soul is Generous”:
The soul is generous, yet hardship restrains it,
And the noble man is excused when he is in distress.
- The poet Alfarazdaq ibn al-Abd shares in his poem “Goodness Endures”:
Goodness persists, even if time extends,
Whereas evil is the vilest sustenance you’ve gathered.
- The poet Abu al-Ala al-Maari writes in his poem “If You Seek Life”:
If you seek life, then pursue moderation,
For at the extremes, the ambitious may falter.
The full moon avoids deficiency while it waxes,
Yet it meets with decline despite its wholeness.
- The poet Imru al-Qais reflects in his poem “If I Strive for the Lowest Existence”:
If I strove solely for the simplest of lives,
It would suffice for me—without seeking wealth.
But I strive for a lasting glory,
And those like me may attain such distinguished glory.
- The poet Ali ibn Abi Talib articulates in his poem “The Noble Deeds Are Pure Ethics”:
Indeed, noble actions are pure of morals,
With religion leading and intellect following.
Knowledge is the third, and forbearance the fourth,
Generosity is the fifth, and virtue is the sixth.
Righteousness is the seventh, and patience the eighth,
Gratitude is the ninth, while gentleness remains enduring.
The soul knows that I do not bond with her,
And I am guided only when I disobey her.
- The poet Abu al-Ala al-Maari states in his poem “Verily, the Ethics of a Person Reflect Their Time”:
Indeed, the character of a person reflects their era,
Some are white-haired in their eyes, while others are black.
Our days consume us, as if time turns to lions,
Each hour passing is as if a lion stalking us.
A person may become complacent in their prime,
Yet awaken from heedlessness and attain respect.
So, do not envy anyone for their blessings,
For it is shameful to be labeled as covetous.
- The poet Al-Nabigha al-Dhubyani declares in his poem “The Ethics of Your Glory Are Exalted, Free of Danger”:
The ethics of your glory are exalted; they hold no peril,
In bravery and generosity, amid knowledge and insight.
Adorned with noble qualities, above others,
In battle, a lion in the form of the moon.
- The poet Al-Buhturi conveys in his poem “Virtue Has Ethics That Teach Through Its Grace”:
Virtue has characteristics that it imparts through its grace,
Such that none would yearn for its essence from another.
He has gathered all forms of moral virtues,
None were united in a leader before him.
When he stands, so too does honor rise; when he marches,
Honor follows in his shadow.
His kindness guides hope, and his promises
In times of obligation are reflections of his deeds.
He partitioned kindness, both distantly and closely,
And found the path of gratitude among the most righteous of ways.
Generosity does not tire noble generosity,
Unless it is bestowed modestly through its means.
His guidance hints at the proximity of prophethood,
And one aspect may reveal much of the whole.
He is among the noblest, the trustworthy, and the well-behaved,
From the multitude of actions great and small.
Honor, oh Abu al-Abbas, you have upheld truth,
Turning away from all lowly acts for its sake.
God bears witness, and He is the best witness,
That your cousin is among the finest of His messengers.
- The poet Ibn al-Rumi illustrates in his poem “The Changing Ethics of a Youth From Boredom”:
The ethics of a youth shift based on boredom,
The nearing fatigue of a person is a bad trait.
I long for the shade of a friend,
Desiring to compare my condition to theirs.
If time grants me insight, reflecting his opinion,
Then I shall strive to emulate his generosity.
And if time withholds from providing a gift,
He would reach out to help me through my hardship.
Until God remedies my poverty, that he sees not
My condition as a burden upon his wealth.
I resent the generous-hearted when they falter
Against a friend included among their dependents.
Is it too much for me to be granted a boon,
A brother I see the world cannot repay?
He has guerdoned a side once tended by me,
Because a cloud had drenched me with its rain.
It was better he outshine me in generosity
To quench my thirst with the essence of his approach.
He who thinks giving is limited to others,
Is like one who sees his brother’s beauty as enough.
Neither the rejection of a good deed counts as such,
Nor the refusals of virtuous acts as mere failures.
Abu Sahl accepted nothing but greatness,
Even if it leads him to a decline of wealth.
His act of kindness should lead him to realize his righteousness,
And justice aligns with the state of his soul.
There’s none like Ismail, with a fate unyielding,
And a youth’s fairness resounds with balance.
Verses of Wisdom in Classical Arabic About Love
- The poet Ibn Razakh shares in his poem “To God, I Complain”:
To God, I complain of the obedience of my soul to desire,
And its excess in its folly and flaws.
It beckoned me towards what it craved, and I responded,
Thus, my share was lost in the pursuit of its gain.
And it is naught but like a butterfly, indeed,
That sees the people as flames, only to suffer their blaze.
Verses of Wisdom in Classical Arabic About Advice
- The poet Al-Tughra’i conveys in his poem “Be Kind to Your Friend When Doubt Arises”:
Show kindness to your friend if you are troubled by his love,
And consider the nature of the past time.
If corruption continues, then part ways,
For a corrupt member must be severed.
- The poet Imam Al-Shafi’i expresses in his poem “Advise Me in Private”:
Advise me in private when we are alone,
Avoid offering counsel in a communal setting.
For advice given among people is a form
Of reproach I cannot bear to hear.
And if you choose to oppose me and disregard my words,
Do not be alarmed if you are met with disobedience.
Verses of Wisdom in Classical Arabic About Wisdom
- The poet Al-Mansur ibn Musa shares in his poem “If You Are of Opinion, Be Resolute”:
If you hold a view, be firm in your decision,
For the corruption of opinion lies in wavering.
Do not grant your enemies any day of power,
But confront them lest they seize equality tomorrow.
- The poet Abu al-Ala al-Maari expresses in his poem “We Hope for Life While Our Concerns Persist”:
We hope for life while our thoughts delve into good,
And thus, our yearning aligns with the soul’s expectations.
We cannot awaken from the intoxication surrounding us,
Until it is proclaimed that death has approached.
- The poet Al-Qatami notes in his poem “The Novelty is not Lasting”:
Novelty does not retain its charm for long,
Except for a brief moment, nor does a sincere friendship endure.
Life holds no value except what can secure comfort,
For without sight, every condition will shift.
People, upon receiving good, will convey it,
Catering to desires with no restriction for the errant mother.
The patient may attain some of their needs,
While a rush might lead the hasty to missteps.
- The poet Imam Al-Shafi’i urges in his poem “Guard Your Tongue”:
Guard your tongue, oh human,
For it can inflict harm; it is a serpent.
How many have become casualties in graves,
Due to the fear of their tongue among their peers?