Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Idries Shah

Quote by Idries Shah

Work

Learning how to Learn: Psychology and Spirituality in the Sufi Way

In 'Learning how to Learn: Psychology and Spirituality in the Sufi Way,' the author delves into the principles of Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam, to provide guidance on the psychological and spiritual journey of self-improvement. The book combines philosophical teachings with practical exercises, aiming to enhance the reader's understanding of the human mind and soul. more

Author

Idries Shah
Idries Shah

Idries Shah was a renowned author known for his dissemination of Eastern philosophy and wisdom. His works blend Sufism, Eastern mysticism, and Western philosophy, aiming to promote human wisdom and inner growth. Shah's books include 'The Sufi Path of Love' and 'The Power of Silence'. more

You May Also Like

“[Soetsu Yanagi's] main criticism of individual craftsmen and modern artists is that they are overproud of their individualism. I think I am right in saying Yanagi's belief was that the good artist of craftsman has no personal pride because in his soul he knows that any prowess he shows is evidence of that Other Power. Therefore what Yanagi says is 'Take heed of the humble; be what you are by birthright; there is no room for arrogance'.”

ArtHumilityArroganceJapanCraftsmanCraftUnknown Craftsman
Book:The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty
Create image

“A culture capable of imagining complexly is a humble culture. It acts, when it has to act, as late in the game as possibl, and as cautiously, because it knows its girth and the tight confines of the china shop it's blundering into. And it knows that no matter how well prepared it is -- no matter how ruthlessly it has held its projections up to intelligent scrutiny -- the place it is headed for is going to very different from the place it imagined. The shortfall between the imagined and the real, multiplied by the violence of one's intent, equals the evil one will do.”

HumilityMoralityEthicsChaosIntelligenceComplexityGeorgeSaunders
Book:The Braindead Megaphone
Create image

“It is clear that men accept an immediate pain rather than an immediate pleasure, but only because they expect a greater pleasure in the future. Often the pleasure is illusory, but their error in calculation is no refutation of the rule. You are puzzled because you cannot get over the idea that pleasures are only of the sense; but, child, a man who dies for his country dies because he likes it as surely as a man eats pickled cabbage because he likes it.”

LifeHumorDeathPleasure
Book:Of Human Bondage
Create image