The worst of guardians is a cruel ruler. Beware of becoming one of them.
It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad, and it is better still to sit with the good than alone. It is better to speak to a seeker of knowledge than to remain silent, but silence is better than idle words.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of choosing one's company wisely and valuing meaningful conversations over idle talk.
The quote highlights the significance of social interactions, advocating for the choice of companions carefully. It suggests that being alone is preferable to being in the company of negative influences, but engaging with positive individuals is even more beneficial. Additionally, it values knowledge and meaningful dialogue over silence, yet asserts that silence is preferable to meaningless chatter, thus promoting a thoughtful approach to both relationships and communication.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about friendship, one might use this quote to stress the importance of positive influences.
More from Muhammad
All quotes →In Paradise there are things which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has thought of.
It is not within the character of a believer to curse, to damn, to speak or act improperly.
There will be no hatred or resentment among them, their hearts will be as one, and they will glorify God, morning and evening.
The best jihad is to speak a word of justice to an oppressive ruler.
Love for one's country is part of faith.
Similar quotes
True wisdom consists in two things: Knowledge of God and Knowledge of Self.
The human mind treats a new idea the same way the body treats a strange protein; it rejects it.
You're no help," he told the lime. This was unfair. It was only a lime; there was nothing special about it at all. It was doing the best it could.
A man can counterfeit love, he can counterfeit faith, he can counterfeit hope and all the other graces, but it is very difficult to counterfeit humility.
At any moment, whatever we are experiencing, only one of two things is ever happening: either we are being with what is, or else we are resisting what is. Being with what is means letting ourselves have and feel our experience, just as it is right now. ... This is where genuine creativity, health, and communication, as well as spiritual power, arise from.
There is one appointed supreme executioner. Truly, trying to take the place of the supreme executioner is like trying to carve wood like a master carpenter. Of those who try to carve wood like a master carpenter, there are few who do not injure their hands.