Every person’s life is unique, and shaped by personal experiences and perspectives. However, the common thread uniting all of humanity is the constant pursuit of life’s meaning and the secret to happiness. Writers and poets have long sought to capture the essence of life through their words and expressions. Here’s a collection of famous Arabic quotes about life. Most of them are in Standard Arabic, but some are in spoken Arabic.
Hope and optimism
لَا يَأْسَ مَعَ الحَيَاةِ، ولا حَيَاةَ مَعَ اليَأْس
There is no despair with life, and no life with despair
Mustafa Kamel Pasha, an Egyptian political leader and writer, emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope. As long as there’s life, there should be hope, and despair should never be allowed to take over. He died from tuberculosis at 33.
الأملُ هوَ دليلُ الحَيَاةِ وَالطَّرِيْقُ إلى الحُرِّيَّة
Hope is the guide to life and the path to freedom
Antoun Saadeh, the founder of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, highlights the role of hope as a source of motivation and a means to achieving freedom and fulfillment in life. Saadeh was executed by firing squad at the age of 45 🤷.
إذا الشَّعْبُ يومًا أَرَادَ الحَيَاةَ … فَلَا بُدَّ أَنْ يَسْتَجِيْبَ القَدَر
If the people one day desire life, then fate must answer
Abul-Qasim Al-Shabi, a Tunisian poet, reflects on the power of collective will and determination to shape destiny and achieve a better life. Al-Shabi died at the young age of 25 from illness☹️.
مَا أَضْيَقَ العَيْشَ لَوْلَا فُسْحَةُ الأَمَل
How narrow life would be without the breadth of hope
Al-Tughrai, a poet of Arab origin born in Isfahan, captures the sentiment that hope expands our perception of life, providing the strength to endure hardships.
الحياة حلوة بس نفهمها
Life is sweet, but only if we understand it
Farid Al-Atrash, a famous Egyptian singer and composer, encourages a positive outlook on life with these words from a well-known song. They suggest that understanding the nuances of life can reveal its inherent sweetness.
Wisdom and reflection
وَهَل العَيْشُ، يَا صَاحِبِي، إِلَّا مُغَامَرَةٌ دَائِمَة؟
And is living, my friend, anything but a continuous adventure?
Mikhail Naimy, a prominent Lebanese writer and poet, invites readers to view life as a continuous adventure filled with unknowns and challenges, encouraging curiosity and courage.
نَحْنُ السِّجِلُّ الكَامِلُ لِكُلِّ مَا يَنْطَبِعُ عَلَى صَفْحَةِ حَيَاتِنَا مِنْ مُؤَثِّرَاتٍ وَنَحْنُ نَسْطُرُ ما في السِّجِل. لَكِنَّنا قَلَّما نَذْكُرُ وَنَفْهَمُ ما
نَسْطُرُ، وَإِن ذَكَرْنَا وَفَهِمْنَا فَاليَسِير اليَسِير
We are the complete record of all the impressions on the pages of our lives. We write in this record, but we seldom remember or understand what we write. And if we do, it is very little
Also by Mikhail Naimy, this quote underscores the complexity of human experience and the difficulty in fully understanding our own lives.
حلاوةُ الدُّنيا لجاهِلها، ومرارةُ الدُّنيا لمن عَقَلها
The sweetness of the world is for the ignorant, and the bitterness of the world is for the wise
This quote by Al-Mutanabbi, one of the greatest classical Arabic poets, reflects the idea that those who are unaware of the world’s complexities often find it more enjoyable, while those who deeply understand it may find it more challenging.
نَبْكِي عَلى الدُّنيا وَمَا مِنْ مَعْشَرٍ، جَمَعَتْهُمُ الدُّنيا فَلَم يَتَفَرَّقوا
We weep for the world, but no group of people has ever been united by life without eventually parting
A reflection by Al-Mutanabbi on the transient nature of life and relationships, suggesting that separation is an inevitable part of human existence.
Resilience and perseverance
الحياةُ بِلَا هَدَف طَرِيقٌ إلى التَّلَف
Life without a goal is a path to ruin
Ahmad Al-Shuqairi, a prominent Saudi Arabian media figure and thinker, suggests that having a purpose gives life direction and meaning, preventing aimlessness and despair.
عيش كتير بتشوف كتير
Live a lot, you will see a lot
Popular Levantine proverb
A simple yet profound saying that highlights the value of life experiences, suggesting that living fully allows one to see and learn much more. It’s a common saying in Egypt too and is expressed in the Egyptian dialect as “اللي يعيش ياما يشوف”
(who lives long enough will see much).
Hopelessness and despair
تَعَبٌ كُلُّها الحَيَاةُ، فَمَا أَعْجَبُ إلّا مِنْ رَاغبٍ في ازدياد
All of life is toil, so I am amazed at those who wish for more of it
Abu Al-Alaa Al-Ma’arri, a classical Arabic philosopher and poet, contemplates the inherent struggles of life and marvels at the desire for more life despite its challenges.
إنَّ أسْبَاب الوَفَاةِ كَثِيرَةٌ مِنْ بَيْنِها وَجَعُ الحَيَاة
The causes of death are many, among them the pain of life
Mahmoud Darwish, a renowned Palestinian poet, poignantly observes life’s difficulties. His words resonate with many who find life to be a series of painful challenges.
كلُّ الَّذِينَ ماتوا، نَجَوا مِنَ الحَيَاةِ بِأُعْجُوبة
All those who died were miraculously saved from life
This somber reflection by Mahmoud Darwish suggests that death, in some ways, is an escape from the trials of life.
These quotes about life in the Arabic language highlight the darker, more challenging aspects of human existence, emphasizing the relief that some might find in the end of life.
Love and life
الحياةُ تُعَلِّمُكَ الحُب، والتَّجَارِبُ تُعَلِّمُكَ مَن تحب، والمَوَاقِفُ تُعَلِّمُك مَن يُحِبُّك، إذا ضَمِنَ أَحَدهُم قَلْبَك سَيَضْمَن طيبتَك، وإذا ضَمِنَ طِيبَتَك سَيُؤذيك بِلا رَحمة
Life teaches you love, experiences teach you whom to love, and situations teach you who loves you. If someone secures your heart, they will secure your kindness, and if they secure your kindness, they will hurt you mercilessly
Nizar Qabbani, a Syrian diplomat and poet known for his romantic and political poetry, on lessons life teaches about love, trust, and vulnerability.
إنَّ الغرامَ هو الحياةُ فمُتْ بهِ
Passion is life itself, so die for it
Ibn al-Farid, a famous Sufi poet, highlights that love is the deepest meaning of life, requiring total devotion and ultimate sacrifice. It represents the fundamental purpose of existence, driven by strong emotions that merge two souls into one.
Contemplation and understanding
عِشْ حَيَاتَك كَمَا لَو لَكَ ذراعًا واحِدةً فَقَط، لا تَكْتُب وتَقْرَأ وتُناقش وتُحارب في آنٍ واحدٍ، لا تَكُن مُتَفَوِّقًا فِي عَالَمٍ مُنْحَطٍ؛ لأنّك سَتَكون بُقْعَةَ عَسَلٍ في عَالَمٍ من الذُّباب
Live your life as if you have only one arm; do not write, read, discuss, and fight all at once. Do not excel in a degraded world, for you will be a spot of honey in a world of flies
Muhammad Al-Maghut, a Syrian writer and poet, expresses a sense of despair and frustration, suggesting that there is no point in striving to be exceptional and giving your best in a corrupt world. Instead, it’s enough to exert half your effort, as excelling wouldn’t be appreciated and could lead to exploitation.
ولِكَي تَكُون حُرًا يجب أن تعيشَ، ولِكَي تَعيشَ يَجِب أَنْ تَخْرَس
To be free, you must live. And to live, you must be silent
In Arab countries dominated by dictatorship and repression, expressing one’s opinion freely can lead to harm or even death. Muhammad Al-Maghut indicates that in order to survive, one must remain silent, suggesting that true freedom is unattainable in such environments. To achieve freedom, one must stay alive, and to stay alive, one must silence themselves and refrain from speaking the truth. This quote underscores the grim reality that freedom cannot be realized as long as survival depends on keeping quiet and not voicing one’s true thoughts.
Contentment and satisfaction
عِشْ راضيًا واهجُر دَوَاعي الأَلَم، واِعْدِل مَعَ الظَّالِم مَهما ظَلَم، نِهَاية الدُّنيا فَنَاء فَـعِشْ فيها طليقًا واعْتَبِرْها عَدَم
Live contentedly and abandon causes of pain, and be fair with the oppressor no matter the oppression. The end of the world is annihilation, so live in it freely and consider it nothingness
Omar Khayyam, a Persian polymath, takes a philosophical approach to life, advocating for contentment, fairness, and a liberated mindset. Although Khayyam was Persian, his works have been widely translated into Arabic and have had a significant influence on Arabic culture. Additionally, his poems, especially the Rubaiyat, have been translated into English and have gained international acclaim, further spreading his philosophical ideas. His influence also extends into music, as the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum famously sang his poetry, bringing his words to life through her powerful voice.
Learn more about the differences between Arabic and Persian from our blog.
القناعةُ كنزٌ لا يُفنى
Contentment is an inexhaustible treasure
A saying by Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, reflecting the importance of contentment and satisfaction in life. This saying suggests that a person who feels content and satisfied with what they have has acquired an infinite treasure. Contentment allows one to live in happiness and peace of mind, regardless of the material circumstances surrounding them.
Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib was the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and the fourth caliph of Islam. He is highly regarded for his wisdom, justice, and profound sayings, which continue to inspire people across the world. His teachings emphasize the value of inner peace, self-contentment, and the spiritual richness that comes from being satisfied with what one has.
These Arabic quotes about life provide a window into the Arab world’s rich cultural heritage, reflecting a wide range of emotions and philosophies about life. They encapsulate the resilience, hope, and wisdom that characterize the Arabic-speaking world’s outlook on life. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, reflection, or a deeper understanding of life’s journey, these life quotes in the Arabic language offer timeless wisdom that transcends cultural boundaries.
By exploring these quotes about life in the Arabic language, we gain insights not only into the Arabic language but also into the universal human experience. They remind us that, despite our different backgrounds and paths, our pursuit of life’s meaning and happiness is a shared journey.
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