As long as a word remains unspoken, you are its master; once you utter it, you are its slave. Solomon Ibn Gabirol More Quotes by Solomon Ibn Gabirol More Quotes From Solomon Ibn Gabirol There are four types of men in this world: 1. The man who knows, and knows that he knows; he is wise, so consult him. 2. The man who knows, but doesn't know that he knows; help him not forget what he knows. 3. The man who knows not, and knows that he knows not; teach him. 4. Finally, there is the man who knows not but pretends that he knows; he is a fool, so avoid him. Solomon Ibn Gabirol wisdom wise inspirational The test of good manners is to be patient with the bad ones. Solomon Ibn Gabirol table-manners tests patience The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others. Solomon Ibn Gabirol wisdom inspirational life The beginning of wisdom is to desire it. Solomon Ibn Gabirol wisdom desire Man is wise only while in search of wisdom; when he imagines he has attained it, he is a fool. Solomon Ibn Gabirol fool wise men Kings may be judges of the earth, but wise men are the judges of kings. Solomon Ibn Gabirol wisdom kings wise Plan for this world as if you expect to live forever; but plan for the hereafter as if you expect to die tomorrow. Solomon Ibn Gabirol expectations forever death If you want to keep something concealed from your enemy, don't disclose it to your friend. Solomon Ibn Gabirol concealed want enemy Worry over what has not occurred is a serious malady. Solomon Ibn Gabirol malady serious worry A wise man's question contains half the answer. Unfortunately the other 50% is harder to come by! Solomon Ibn Gabirol wise answers men There are three types of friends: those like food without which you can't live those like medicine which you need occasionally and those like an illness which you never want. Solomon Ibn Gabirol medicine three needs Riches bring anxiety; wisdom gives peace of mind. Solomon Ibn Gabirol anxiety giving peace The Sage was asked to define good manners? to which he replied, To bear patiently the rude ones. Solomon Ibn Gabirol sage good-man rude I am better able to retract what I did not say than what I did. Solomon Ibn Gabirol able silence A tiny fly can choke a big man. Solomon Ibn Gabirol choke tiny men As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. Solomon Ibn Gabirol lilies honesty daughter One is punished by the very things by which he sins. Solomon Ibn Gabirol sin Thou hast created me not from necessity but from grace. Solomon Ibn Gabirol grace Drink poison rather than worry. Solomon Ibn Gabirol drink poison worry Misfortune may become fortune through patience. Solomon Ibn Gabirol misfortunes fortune may