The worst of guardians is a cruel ruler. Beware of becoming one of them.
MuhammadRead
A good friend and a bad friend are like a perfume-seller and a blacksmith: The perfume-seller might give you some perfume as a gift, or you might buy some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance. As for the blacksmith, he might singe your clothes, and at the very least you will breathe in the fumes of the furnace.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Good friends positively impact our lives, while bad friends can cause harm.
This quote illustrates the stark contrast between the influences of a good friend and a bad friend by comparing them to a perfume-seller and a blacksmith. A good friend, like a perfume-seller, brings pleasant experiences and gifts, enhancing our lives with their positivity. Conversely, a bad friend, akin to a blacksmith, may cause harm and leave negative aftereffects, highlighting the importance of choosing our friendships wisely.
Themes
FriendshipInfluencePositiveNegativeSupport
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a speech about the importance of positive relationships.
More from Muhammad
All quotes →It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad, and it is better still to sit with the good than alone. It is better to speak to a seeker of knowledge than to remain silent, but silence is better than idle words.
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In Paradise there are things which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has thought of.
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It is not within the character of a believer to curse, to damn, to speak or act improperly.
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There will be no hatred or resentment among them, their hearts will be as one, and they will glorify God, morning and evening.
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The best jihad is to speak a word of justice to an oppressive ruler.
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