Solomon ibn Gabirol Quotes

In much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.

But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them.

Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger, and it is beauty on his part to pass over transgression.

It is better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be stupid and speak lies.

Who is like the wise man? Who knows the solution to a problem? A man’s wisdom lights up his face and softens his stern appearance. I say: “Obey the king’s orders out of regard for the oath to God. Do not rush to depart from his presence. Do not take a stand for anything bad; for he can do whatever he pleases, because the word of the king is absolute; who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

In seeking wisdom, the first step is silence; the second, listening; the third, remembering; the fourth practicing; the fifth, teaching others

A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

And also to the alien, who is not of Thy people Israel, but comes from a distant land on account of Thy fame; for hearing of Thy great name and Thy strong hand, and Thine outstretched arm, he comes to this house to pray... do Thou listen in the heavens, the place where Thou dwellest, and perform all that the alien begs of Thee, so that all the peoples of the earth may know Thy name, to fear Thee like Thine own people Israel, and to know that Thy name is proclaimed over this house that I have built.

I before Thy greatness
Stand, and am afraid:—
All my secret thoughts Thine eye beholdeth
Deep within my bosom laid.

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.