Ibn Khaldun
Father of sociology and historiography
Most quoted
"History is the record of human society, or world civilization; of the changes that take place in the nature of that society, such as savagery, sociability, and group solidarity; of the revolutions and uprisings by one set of people against another with the resulting kingdoms and states, with their various ranks and the different occupations and sciences to which they devote themselves; and, finally, of all the changes that occur in all these phenomena, as dictated by the nature of events."
— from Muqaddimah, 1377
"History is, in reality, no more than the record of human society, or world civilization; of the changes that take place in the nature of that society, such as savagery, sociability, and group solidarity; of the revolutions and uprisings by one set of people against another with the resulting kingdoms and states, with their various ranks and the activities that people undertake in their different occupations and sciences, and, in general, of all the transformations that society undergoes."
— from Muqaddimah
"History is the record of human society, or world civilization; of the changes that take place in the nature of that society, such as savagery, sociability, and group solidarity; of the revolutions and uprisings by one set of people against another with the resulting kingdoms and states, with their various ranks and the activities that human beings undertake in their different occupations and sciences, and, in general, of all the transformations that society undergoes."
— from Muqaddimah
All quotes by Ibn Khaldun (397)
Truth is conformity of the intellect to reality. It is the agreement of our thoughts with the things themselves.
Beauty is a quality of things that pleases the eye and the mind. It is a reflection of divine perfection.
The human mind is capable of understanding the most complex concepts and of discovering the hidden laws of the universe.
The rise and fall of civilizations is a natural process, governed by universal laws. Nothing is permanent except change itself.
The strength of a nation lies in its social cohesion and its adherence to moral values.
Ignorance is the root of all evil. Knowledge is the path to virtue and happiness.
The human soul is like a mirror that reflects the divine attributes. The more polished the mirror, the clearer the reflection.
Every soul shall taste death. Then to Us will you be returned.
The world is a fleeting shadow, and its pleasures are transient. Only the good deeds we do will remain.
Man is a creature of habit. His character is formed by his actions and his choices.
The pursuit of knowledge is an act of worship. It is a way of drawing closer to God.
The human heart is a vessel that can hold either light or darkness. It is up to us to choose what we fill it with.
The true measure of a man is not his wealth or his power, but his character and his deeds.
The universe is a book written by God, and every creature is a letter in that book. By studying the universe, we can learn about God.
The greatest struggle in life is the struggle against one's own ego. He who conquers his ego conquers the world.
The human soul is a divine spark, a reflection of the divine essence. It is immortal and eternal.
Life is a journey, and death is the destination. But the journey itself is what gives meaning to life.
The world is a bridge; pass over it, but build no house upon it.
The human being is a microcosm, a small universe that reflects the greater universe.
The pursuit of justice is a divine command. It is the foundation of a just and prosperous society.