Idries Shah - Man Quotes

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If you want to make an ordinary man happy, or think that he is happy, give him money, power, flattery, gifts, honours. If you want to make a wise man happy - improve yourself!

Idries Shah

People who speak or act in an ordinary fashion are most likely to be those who have been the recipients of higher experiences. But because they do not rage around, wild-eyed, people think that they are very ordinary folk and therefore not aware of anything unknown to the general run of man.

Idries Shah

MAN: Kick him-he'll forgive you. Flatter him-he may or may not see through you. But ignore him and he'll hate you

Idries Shah

It is the message, not the man, which is important to the Sufis.

Idries Shah

The stupidest man I ever met had a favourite saying.
It was:
'What do you think I am, stupid, or something?

Idries Shah

The impatient man is his own enemy; he slams the door on his own progress.

Idries Shah

When the Higher Man does something worthy of admiration, it is an evidence of his Mastership, not the object of it.

Idries Shah