Sa'di (or Saadi), pen name of Abū-Muḥammad Muṣliḥ al-Dīn bin Abdallāh Shīrāzī, born Muslih-uddin

Do good even to the wicked; it is as well to shut a dog's mouth with a crumb.

Reveal not every secret you have to a friend, for how can you tell but that friend may hereafter become an enemy. And bring not all mischief you are able to upon an enemy, for he may one day become your friend.

Words without action are void of substance.

Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.

Roam abroad in the world, and take thy fill of its enjoyments before the day shall come when thou must quit it for good.

He who is a slave to his stomach seldom worships God.

That which is not allotted the hand cannot reach; what is allotted you will find wherever you may be.

I never complained of the vicissitudes of fortune ... except once when my feet were bare, and I had not the means of obtaining shoes. I came to the state of Kufah in a state of dejection, and there saw a man who had no feet.

The beloved of the Almighty are the rich who have the humility of the poor, and the poor who have the magnanimity of the rich.

I shall drink with joy the cup of sorrow because my Beloved is the cup-bearer.

The greedy man is not content with a whole world set before him.

If thou covetest riches, ask not but for contentment, which is an immense treasure.

The name of human you cannot retain.

If you have no sympathy for human pain,

The rose and the thorn, and sorrow and gladness are linked together.

Kings need the company of the intelligent far more than the intelligent need the society of kings.

To give pleasure to a single heart by a single kind act is better than a thousand head-bowings in prayer.

Little children do not lie until they are taught to do so.

Virtue pardons the wicked, as the sandal-tree perfumes the axe which strikes it.

Most of the birds of the Old World can be found here, as Oman is on a strategic route for migrating birds.

Whatever is produced in haste goes hastily to waste.

O wise man, wash your hands of that friend who associates with your enemies.

When the belly is empty, the body becomes spirit; and when it is full, the spirit becomes body.

Obedience is not truly performed by the body, if the heart is dissatisfied.

Whenever you argue with another wiser than yourself in order that others may admire your wisdom, they will discover your ignorance.