Saadi
Thirteenth-century Persian poet, traveler, and Sufi master, born and buried in Shiraz, regarded throughout the Persian-speaking world as the greatest moral poet of the language. After more than thirty years of wandering — through Damascus, Aleppo, the Hejaz, North Africa, and as far as India — he returned to Shiraz and composed the Bostan (The Orchard, 1257) and the Gulistan (The Rose Garden, 1258), two of the most beloved books in Persian literature. The Gulistan in particular blends prose anecdote with verse epigram, and its couplet Bani Adam — "the children of Adam are limbs of one body" — adorns the entrance hall of the United Nations in New York.
106
quotes in library
Quotes by Saadi
106 quotes“The wise rule themselves before they rule others.”
self-masteryGulistan
“He who fears no shame walks freely in the world.”
freedomBostan
“The candle burns to give light. So with the lover.”
sacrificeBostan
“Bread is the work of God's hand. Honor it.”
reverenceBostan
“Do not seek the world. The world will follow you.”
non-attachmentGulistan
“The honey-bearing rose. The thorn-bearing rose. Both are roses.”
acceptanceBostan
“Where there is wisdom, there is silence.”
silenceBostan
“Honesty is the best garment a man can wear.”
honestyGulistan
“Speak gently. The reed flute speaks gently and is heard for a thousand years.”
speechBostan
“In gratitude, even sorrow is sweet.”
gratitudeBostan
“The arrow that has left the bow does not return.”
actionGulistan
“To know God, become a friend of God.”
friendshipBostan
“The night of grief: the dawn of patience.”
patienceBostan
“What is courage? To act without fear of failing.”
courageGulistan
“The traveler returns. The wisdom remains.”
wisdomBostan
“He who has no enemies is either a saint or a fool.”
discernmentGulistan
“Speak the truth, but do not insult.”
truthBostan
“Even the king bows to wisdom.”
wisdomBostan
“Whoever knows himself knows his Lord.”
self-knowledgeBostan
Explore More Teachers
Discover wisdom from 500+ spiritual teachers across all traditions.
Browse All Teachers