Forgiveness Quote by Franz Rosenthal
““An ignorant man is forgiven seventy sins, before one sin is forgiven to the person who possesses knowledge. Evil actions should not deter anyone from accepting good advice from the individual who commits them. This has been said by Bilâl b. Abî Burdah and is expressed in a famous verse, here ascribed to al-Khalîl: The light of knowledge must not be extinguished by dark sins. Knowledge is sought on account of action, and not vice versa. Leaving the truth alone because of one’s ignorance is better than doing so through inaction.””
About This Quote
Source Book: History of Islamic Philosophy, Franz Rosenthal, 1960
Knowledge outweighs sin; seeking truth is essential even when the source is flawed.
In simple terms: Knowledge matters more than sin.
Key Takeaway
Seek truth despite the speaker’s faults.
Themes
knowledge
truth
morality
forgiveness
wisdom
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
reflective
When to use this quote
- religious study
- personal development
- advice seeking
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
epistemology
ethical reasoning
spiritual guidance
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you separate the message from the messenger?
- How does sin affect credibility?
A Different Perspective
If the advisor is immoral, their advice may still be valuable.
