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Two kinds of people live a life without care: one kind are extremely worthy of praise, the other kind are extremely worthy of criticism. The first are those who care nothing for the pleasures of the world and the second (i.e. those who are deserving of criticism) care nothing for haya or modesty.
Ibn Hazm
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects on two types of people who live carelessly, highlighting the distinction between virtuous and flawed carelessness.

Ibn Hazm presents a thought-provoking perspective on the nature of carelessness in life. He suggests that there are two groups of individuals: those who lead a life free from worldly pleasures and are to be admired, and those who, in their indifference, lack the virtue of modesty and are thus critique-worthy. This distinction serves to provoke deeper reflection on the values we hold and the different motivations behind our actions and states of being.

Themes

CarelessnessModestyVirtuePraiseCriticism

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about values, this quote could highlight the importance of virtue over hedonism.

More from Ibn Hazm

When you compare yourself with others in matters of wealth, position, and health, you should look at people less favoured than yourself. When you compare yourself with others in matters of religion, knowledge and virtue, look at people who are better than yourself.
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And though the years before I die _x000D_ Stretch out interminably, I _x000D_ Shall only count my life in truth _x000D_ As that brief hour of happy youth.
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The wise man knows the only fitting price for his soul is a place in Paradise.
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