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On Rules for Conduct of Life

a Sultân's garment of honour is dear, yet one's own old robe is more dear; and though the food of a great man may be delicious, the broken crumbs of one's own sack are more delicious.

Vinegar by one's own labour, and vegetables, are better than bread received as alms, and veal.

is contrary to what is proper, and against the opinion of sages, to partake of medicine by guess, and to go after a caravan without seeing the road. The Imâm Murshid Muhammad Ghazâli —upon whom be the mercy of Allah—having been asked in what manner he had attained such a degree of knowledge, replied: "By not being ashamed to ask about things I did not know."

The hope of recovery is according to reason, that he should feel thy pulse who knows [thy] nature. Ask what thou knowest not; for the trouble of asking will indicate to thee the way to the dignity of knowledge.

thou perceivest will become known to thee [in due course of time]; make no haste in asking for it, else the awe of thy dignity will be lessened.

When Loqmân saw that in the hands of David all iron became by miracle [soft like] wax, he asked not: "What art thou doing?" Because he knew he would learn it without asking.