Inspirational Sayings

When they are about to go to war, they take a certain herb, which they dry and powder, and then they mix it with water and drink it. And when they have drunk it, they become so brave that they fear nothing.

Real things in the darkness seem no realer than dreams.

Beauty without colour seems somehow to belong to another world.

A night of endless dreams, inconsequent and wild, is this my life; none more worth telling than the rest.

Men are strange creatures—they pretend to be serious but are ruled by their desires.

The world is a floating dream—why cling to it?

The moving finger writes; and, having writ, moves on.

Indeed the Idols I have loved so long Have done my credit in this World much wrong: Have drown'd my Honour in a shallow Cup, And sold my Reputation for a Song.

Some for the Glories of This World; and some Sigh for the Prophet's Paradise to come; Ah, take the Cash in hand and waive the Rest; Oh, the brave Music of a distant Drum!

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.

The worldly hope men set their hearts upon Turns ashes—or it prospers; and anon, Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty Face, Lighting a little hour or two—is gone.

Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend, Before we too into the Dust descend; Dust into Dust, and under Dust to lie, Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and—sans End!

My destiny awaits.

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.

Come, seek, for search is the foundation of fortune: every success depends upon focusing the heart.

The art of knowing is knowing what to ignore.

Do not imagine that when you have conquered these lands you will keep them. You will have to leave them to others, as others left them to you.

I forgive the Christians of Jerusalem, for they have fought bravely.

How can I be happy when the mosque of al-Aqsa is in the hands of the unbelievers?