Al-Farabi Quotes
Abu Nasr al-Farabi was a Persian philosopher and one of the greatest figures of the Islamic Golden Age, known to later tradition as the Second Teacher, after Aristotle. He produced extensive commentaries on Aristotle's logical and political works and developed an original Neoplatonic metaphysics in which the world emanates from the One through a hierarchy of intelligences. The quotes below are attributed to Al-Farabi, organized by topic.
Browse Al-Farabi by topic
Al-Farabi on Happiness
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Attributed to Al-Farabi:
“Happiness is the absolute good.”
Al-Farabi on Justice
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“A just city should favor justice and the just, hate tyranny and injustice, and give them both their just desserts.”
H. Gibb et al. , eds., "Mazalim", The Dictionary of Islam vol. IV (Leiden: Brill, 1991)
Al-Farabi on Knowledge
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“H. Gibb et al. , eds., "Mazalim", The Dictionary of Islam vol. IV (Leiden: Brill, 1991)”
A just city should favor justice and the just, hate tyranny and injustice, and give them both their just desserts.
Al-Farabi on Politics
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Attributed to Al-Farabi:
“The excellent city is one whose people unite in pursuit of the most excellent things.”
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Attributed to Al-Farabi:
“The first ruler is the one to whom an entire community gives obedience, and is bound to him.”
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Attributed to Al-Farabi:
“Man cannot attain perfection except through the help of others; he must therefore associate with them.”
Al-Farabi on Truth
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Attributed to Al-Farabi:
“Philosophy gives us knowledge of the truth, and religion presents the truth in images and persuasion.”