Home > Author > Abū al-ʿAlāʾ al-Maʿarrī
1 " The inhabitants of the earth are of two sorts: those with brains, but no religion, and those with religion, but no brains. "
― Abū al-ʿAlāʾ al-Maʿarrī
2 " Over many a race the sun's bright net was spreadAnd loosed their pearls nor left them even a thread.This dire world delights us, though all sup—All whom she mothers—from one mortal cup.Choose from two ills: which rather in the mainSuits you? —to perish or to live in pain? "
3 " Make not, when you work a deed of shame, The scoundrel's plea, 'My forbears did the same. "
4 " Reason forbade me many things which,Instinctively, my nature was attracted to;And a perpetual loss I feel if, knowing,I believe a falsehood or deny the truth. "
5 " This crime was by my father done -To me, but never by me to one." (in regards to life and being born) "
6 " And when I think my thinking rouses me to blame he who created me, And I gave peace to my children for they are in the bliss of the abyssWhich surpasses all the pleasures of the world,And had they been born they would’ve endured misery "
― Abū al-ʿAlāʾ al-Maʿarrī , The Quatrains of Abu'l-ALA: Selected from His Lozum-Ma-La-Yalzam and Sact-Uz-Zind and Now First Translated Into English (Classic Reprint)
7 " Now this religion happens to prevailUntil by that religion overthrown,–Because men dare not live with men alone,But always with another fairy-tale "
8 " My tongue speaks but I do not act;My heart desires but I do naught.I am aware of the right path but do not let myself be guided;I know, but act in ignorance. "
― Abū al-ʿAlāʾ al-Maʿarrī , The Epistle of Forgiveness, or A Pardon to Enter the Garden
9 " There is no imam but the mind, who guides by day and night. "
― Abū al-ʿAlāʾ al-Maʿarrī , The Luzumiyat Of Abu'l-Ala: Selected From His Luzum Ma La Yalzam And Suct Uz-Zand
10 " Kings are sad creatures. "
11 " Hanifs (Muslims) are stumbling, Christians all astrayJews wildered, Magians far on error’s way.We mortals are composed of two great schoolsEnlightened knaves or else religious fools. "
12 " So, too, the creeds of man: the one prevailsUntil the other comes; and this one failsWhen that one triumphs; ay, the lonesome worldWill always want the latest fairytales. "
13 " Humanity follows two world-wide sects:One, man intelligent without religion,The second, religious without intellect. "
14 " Everyone who strives after gain in the perishable world will necessarily come to regret it, at the time of separation and the moment of non-being. "
