Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Bahya ibn Paquda (Jewish Philosopher)

Baḥyā ben Joseph ibn Paqūda, (f.11th century,) was a Jewish moral philosopher and rabbi. He was the author of Duties of the Heart, a highly influential and popular work of ethical guidance.

Beyond the fact that Baḥyā served as dayyan—a judge of a rabbinical court—in Saragossa, Muslim Spain, not much is known about his life. Circa 1080, Baḥyā wrote, in Arabic, Kitab Al-Hidāyah ilā-farāid al-qulūb (Guide to the Duties of the Heart,) a methodical philosophic work of morals and religion. It discusses the ritual and ethical obligations of the Torah and attempts to lead the reader through various mystical stages towards union with God.

The opening section of the Al-Hidāyah on the unity of God is philosophical—it stresses that the human mind cannot apprehend the nature of God. Baḥyā’s work quotes Arabic as well as Jewish philosophers as well as Arabic literature.

In an imprecise 12th-century translation into Hebrew by Judah ben Joseph ibn Tibbon, Ḥovot ha-levavot (Duties of the Heart,) Baḥyā’s work became a widely read classic of Jewish philosophic and pietistic literature. An English translation, Duties of the Heart (1925–47; reprinted 1962,) was completed by Moses Hyamson.

More: Wikipedia READ: Works by Bahya ibn Paquda

All virtues and duties are dependent on humility.
Bahya ibn Paquda

You should know, O man, that the greatest enemy you have in the world is your inclination.
Bahya ibn Paquda

Days are scrolls: write on them only what you want remembered.
Bahya ibn Paquda

We are obliged to serve God both outwardly and inwardly. Outward service is expressed in the duties of the members, such as prayer, fasting, almsgiving, learning and teaching the Torah…all of which can be wholly performed by man’s physical body. Inward service, however, is expressed in the duties of the heart, in the heart’s assertion of the unity of God, in belief in him and in his Book, in constant obedience to him and fear of him, in humility before him, love for him and complete reliance upon him, submission to him and abstinence from the things hateful to him.
Bahya ibn Paquda

Scrolls: write on them what you want to be remembered for.
Bahya ibn Paquda
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