He who sleeps without offering the night prayer, may he never enjoy a sound sleep.
UmarRead
I have never regretted my silence. As for my speech, I have regretted it over and over again.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the value of silence over words, highlighting how impulsive speech can lead to regret.
Umar's quote reflects the profound wisdom that silence can often be a better choice than speaking. It suggests that taking a moment to refrain from expressing thoughts can prevent future regret, as once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back. This serves as a reminder of the importance of choosing one's words carefully, recognizing that our speech can have lasting consequences.
In practice
During a presentation on conflict resolution, I quoted Umar to emphasize the power of listening.
He who sleeps without offering the night prayer, may he never enjoy a sound sleep.
I looked at all friends, and did not find a better friend than safeguarding the tongue. I thought about all dresses, but did not find a better dress than piety. I thought about all types of wealth, but did not find a better wealth than contentment in little. I thought of all types of good deeds, but did not find a better deed than offering good advice. I looked at all types of sustenance, but did not find a better sustenance than patience.
Do not be fooled by one who recites the QurΓ’n. His recitation is but speech β but look to those who act according to it.
Avoidance of sin is lighter than the pain of remorse.
The criterion of action is that todays work should not be deferred till the following day.
Learn the Arabic language; it will sharpen your wisdom.
The first real terror struck him then, and there was nothing supernatural about it. It was only a realization of how easy it was to trash your life. That was what was so scary. You just dragged the fan up to everything you had spent the years raking together and turned the motherfucker on.
He who knows best knows how little he knows.
Some accidents there are in life that a little folly is necessary to help us out of.
If a great thing can be done, it can be done easily, but this ease is like the of ease of a tree blossoming after long years of gathering strength.
As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation -- either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course.
Good nature is worth more than knowledge, more than money, more than honor, to the persons who possess it.
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