When the belly is empty, the body becomes spirit; and when it is full, the spirit becomes body.
SaadiRead
A wise man among the ignorant is as a beautiful girl in the company of blind men.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Knowledge and wisdom can be unappreciated in the presence of ignorance.
This quote by Saadi highlights the idea that a wise individual may feel out of place or unvalued when surrounded by those who lack understanding or awareness. Just as a beautiful girl would not be recognized for her beauty by those who cannot see, a wise person may struggle to share their insights with those who cannot appreciate or comprehend them, suggesting the importance of an appropriate audience for wisdom.
Themes
WisdomIgnoranceUnderstandingValueKnowledge
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a graduation ceremony to emphasize the importance of being in the right environment to share knowledge.
More from Saadi
All quotes βA friend whom you have been gaining during your whole life, you ought not to be displeased with in a moment. A stone is many years becoming a ruby - take care that you do not destroy it in an instant against another stone.
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The bad fortune of the good turns their faces up to heaven; the good fortune of the bad bows their heads down to the earth.
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However much you study, you cannot know without action. A donkey laden with books is neither an intellectual nor a wise man. Empty of essence, what learning has he whether upon him is firewood or book?
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Ants, fighting together, will vanquish the lion.
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An enemy to whom you show kindness becomes your friend, excepting lust, the indulgence of which increases its enmity.
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