Ibn Khaldun Quotes

All the sciences came to exist in Arabic. The systematic works on them were written in Arabic writing.

Throughout history many nations have suffered a physical defeat, but that has never marked the end of a nation. But when a nation has become the victim of a psychological defeat, then that marks the end of a nation.

People are largely ignorant of the interests of the human species.

Habits are qualities of the soul.

Geometry enlightens the intellect and sets one’s mind right. All of its proofs are very clear and orderly. It is hardly possible for errors to enter into geometrical reasoning, because it is well arranged and orderly. Thus, the mind that constantly applies itself to geometry is not likely to fall into error. In this convenient way, the person who knows geometry acquires intelligence.

Government is an institution which prevents injustice other than such as it commits itself.

Islam is under obligation to gain power over all nations.

Man is the child of customs, not the child of his ancestors.

At the beginning of a dynasty, taxation yields a large revenue from small assessments. At the end of the dynasty, taxation yields a small revenue from large assessments.

The Berbers belong to a powerful, formidable, and numerous people; a true people like so many others, the world has seen – like the Arabs, the Persians, the Greeks and the Romans.

When incentive to acquire and obtain property is gone, people no longer make efforts to acquire any… Those who infringe upon property rights commit an injustice… If this occurs repeatedly, all incentives to cultural enterprise are destroyed and they cease utterly to make an effort. This leads to destruction and ruin of civilization.

Geometry enlightlens the intellect and sets one’s mind right