Nasrudin Quotes

“A Better Beard that Yours. 'All true devotees wear a beard,' said the Imam to his audience. 'Show me a thick and lustrous beard and I'll show you a true believer!' 'My goat has a beard far bushier and longer than yours,' replied Nasrudin. 'Does that mean he is a better Muslim than you?”
― Idries Shah, The World of Nasrudin

“Instant Reading. A certain famous Fakir was claiming in the village that he could teach an illiterate person to read by a lightning technique. Nasrudin stepped out of the crowd: 'Very well, teach me – now.' The Fakir touched the Mulla's forehead, and said: 'Now go home immediately and read a book.' Half an our later Nasrudin was back in the market-place, clutching a book. The Fakir had gone on his way. 'Can you read now, Mulla?' the people asked him. 'Yes, I can read – but that is not the point. Where is that charlatan?' 'How can he be a charlatan if he has caused you to read without learning?' 'Because this book, which is authoritative, says: “All Fakirs are frauds”.”
― Idries Shah, Caravan of Dreams

“Learning how to learn involves examining assumptions. Mulla Nasrudin tales very often fulfil this funcition.”
― Idries Shah

“If a pot can multiply. One day Nasrudin lent his cooking pots to a neighbour, who was giving a feast. The neighbour returned them, together with one extra one – a very tiny pot. 'What is this?' asked Nasrudin. 'According to law, I have given you the offspring of your property which was born when the pots were in my care,' said the joker. Shortly afterwards Nasrudin borrowed his neighbour's pots, but did not return them. The man came round to get them back. 'Alas!' said Nasrudin, 'they are dead. We have established, have we not, that pots are mortal?'.”
― Idries Shah, The Pleasantries of the Incredible Mulla Nasrudin

“Saying of the Mulla Nasrudin. If I survive this life without dying, I'll be surprised.”
― Idries Shah, The Pleasantries of the Incredible Mulla Nasrudin

“Una barba mejor que la tuya.
“Todos los verdaderos devotos llevan barba,” dijo el Imán a su audiencia. “Muéstrenme una barba espesa y brillante, y yo les mostraré a un verdadero creyente!” “Mi cabra tiene una barba mucho más tupida y larga que la tuya,” contestó Nasrudín. “¿Eso significa que es mejor musulmán que tú?”.”
― Idries Shah

“Dicho del Mulá Nasrudín. Si sobrevivo a esta vida sin morirme, me sorprenderé.”
― Idries Shah, The Subtleties of the Inimitable Mulla Nasrudin

“If I knew what two and two were – I would say Four!”
― Idries Shah

“Si supiera cuánto es dos más dos, ¡diría que cuatro!”
― Idries Shah

“Aprender a aprender significa examinar las suposiciones. Los relatos de Mulá Nasrudín cumplen muy frecuentemente esta función.”
― Idries Shah, Aprender a aprender