The sage who engages in controversy with ignorant people must not expect to be treated with honour; and if a fool should overpower a philosopher by his loquacity it is not to be wondered at, for a common stone will break a jewel.

Wording recorded in the collection; original language not established.

The sage who engages in controversy with ignorant people must not expect to be treated with honour; and if a fool should overpower a philosopher by his loquacity it is not to be wondered at, for a common stone will break a jewel.

Saadi · Book of Wise Sayings · 1893 · n. 584

Wording recorded in the collection; original language not established.

Anger that has no limit causes terror, and unseasonable kindness does away with respect. Be not so severe as to cause disgust, nor so lenient as to make people presume.

Saadi · Book of Wise Sayings · 1893 · n. 117

Wording recorded in the collection; original language not established.

Reason is captive in the hands of the passions, as a weak man in the hands of an artful woman.

Saadi · Book of Wise Sayings · 1893 · n. 14

Wording recorded in the collection; original language not established.

Be thou generous, and gentle, and forgiving; as God hath scattered upon thee, scatter thou upon others.

Saadi · Book of Wise Sayings · 1893 · n. 140

Wording recorded in the collection; original language not established.

Purpose without power is mere weakness and deception; and power without purpose is mere fatuity.

Saadi · Book of Wise Sayings · 1893 · n. 146