Irving Kristol
American columnist, journalist, and writer (1920-2009)
Solomon Ibn Gabirol
11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
Solomon ibn Gabirol or Solomon ben Judahwas an 11th-century Jewish poet and philosopher in the Neo-Platonic tradition in Al-Andalus. He published over a hundred poems, as well as works of biblical exegesis, philosophy, ethics: xxvii and satire.: xxv One source credits ibn Gabirol with creating a golem, possibly female, for household chores.
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About the Solomon Ibn Gabirol
Solomon ibn Gabirol or Solomon ben Judahwas an 11th-century Jewish poet and philosopher in the Neo-Platonic tradition in Al-Andalus. He published over a hundred poems, as well as works of biblical exegesis, philosophy, ethics: xxvii and satire.: xxv One source credits ibn Gabirol with creating a golem, possibly female, for household chores.
In the 19th century it was discovered that medieval translators had Latinized Gabirol’s name to Avicebron or Avencebrol and had translated his work on Jewish Neo-Platonic philosophy into a Latin form that had in the intervening centuries been highly regarded as a work of Islamic or Christian scholarship.: xxxii As such, ibn Gabirol is well known in the history of philosophy for the doctrine that all things, including soul and intellect, are composed of matter and form (“Universal Hylomorphism”), and for his emphasis on divine will.
17 Quotes by Solomon Ibn Gabirol
- 1.
A wise man’s question contains half the answer.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 2.
Kings may be judges of the earth, but wise men are the judges of kings.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 3.
I am better able to retract what I did not say than what I did.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 4.
Plan for this world as if you expect to live forever; but plan for the hereafter as if you expect to die tomorrow.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 5.
The test of good manners is to be patient with the bad ones.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 6.
And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of like nature; and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 7.
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 8.
The beginning of wisdom is to desire it.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 9.
Thou hast created me not from necessity but from grace.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 10.
One is punished by the very things by which he sins.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 11.
Many men hoard for the future husbands of their wives.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 12.
As long as a word remains unspoken, you are its master; once you utter it, you are its slave.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 13.
All men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 14.
Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 15.
My friend is he who will tell me my faults in private.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 16.
Your secret is your prisoner; once you reveal it, you become its slave.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher
- 17.
If you want to keep something concealed from your enemy, don’t disclose it to your friend.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol11th-century Andalusian poet and Jewish philosopher