Saladin Quotes
Saladin's words survive in his letters and in the biography written by his secretary, Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad, who knew him for years. The quotes below come from those, via standard English translations.
3 real Saladin quotes, with sources
“Abstain from the shedding of blood; trust not to that; for blood that is spilt never slumbers.”Saladin — Advice to his son az-Zahir, recorded by his secretary Baha ad-Din; tr. Stanley Lane-Poole, Saladin (1898), p. 368
“I have become great as I am because I have won men's hearts by gentleness and kindness.”Saladin — Advice to his son az-Zahir, recorded by Baha ad-Din; tr. Lane-Poole, Saladin (1898), p. 368
“This is a victory opening the gates of men's hearts.”Saladin — Letter to his brother al-Adil, 1174, preserved by Abu Shama (Lyons & Jackson, Saladin, 1982, p. 89)
Famous quotes Saladin never said
“Victory is changing the hearts of your opponents by gentleness and kindness.”A modern rewording of his real advice to his son, quoted above: “I have won men's hearts by gentleness and kindness.”
Who was Saladin?
Founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, Saladin united Egypt and Syria and recaptured Jerusalem in 1187. Admired even by his Crusader enemies for his generosity and honour, he became a model of chivalry in both East and West. Read more on Wikipedia.
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What is Saladin's most famous quote?
One of the best known is “I have become great as I am because I have won men's hearts by gentleness and kindness.” (Advice to his son az-Zahir, recorded by Baha ad-Din; tr. Lane-Poole, Saladin (1898), p. 368)
Did Saladin really say “Victory is changing the hearts of your opponents by gentleness and kindness.”?
No. A modern rewording of his real advice to his son, quoted above: “I have won men's hearts by gentleness and kindness.”
Where do these Saladin quotes come from?
Saladin's words survive in his letters and in the biography written by his secretary, Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad, who knew him for years. The quotes below come from those, via standard English translations.
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