Top 10 Best Omar Khayyam Quotes

Omar Khayyam (1048–1131) was a Persian polymath renowned for his contributions to mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and literature. Born in Nishapur, in modern-day Iran, Khayyam excelled as a mathematician, developing significant advancements in algebra, including methods to solve cubic equations. His calendar reform under the Seljuk ruler Malik Shah I led to the creation of the Jalali calendar, an achievement that rivals the Gregorian calendar in accuracy.

Khayyam is best remembered for his poetic work, The Rubáiyát, a collection of quatrains (rubāʿiyāt) that express deep reflections on life, love, mortality, and the nature of existence. Written in a unique style blending hedonistic and existentialist themes, his verses gained global recognition in the 19th century through Edward FitzGerald’s English translation.

Despite his fame as a poet, Khayyam viewed himself primarily as a scientist and scholar, leading a relatively quiet life in Nishapur. He left an enduring legacy as a thinker who bridged the realms of science and art.

Here are 10 famous quotes by Omar Khayyam:

• “Heaven but the vision of fulfilled desire, and Hell the shadow from a soul on fire.”
• “The thoughtful soul to solitude retires.”
• “To wisely live your life, you don’t need to know much. Just remember two main rules for the beginning: you better starve, than eat whatever, and better be alone, than with whoever.”
• “Why, all the Saints and Sages who discuss’d Of the Two Worlds so wisely – they are thrust Like foolish Prophets forth; their Words to Scorn Are scattered, and their mouths are stopped with Dust.”
• “We are no other than a moving row of magic shadow-shapes that come and go.”
• “The worldly hope men set their hearts upon turns ashes—or it prospers; and anon, like snow upon the desert’s dusty face lighting a little hour or two—is gone.”
• “Waste not your hour, nor in the vain pursuit of this and that endeavor and dispute; better be merry with the fruitful grape than sadden after none, or bitter fruit.”
• “Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
• “I sent my soul through the invisible, some letter of that after-life to spell: and by and by my soul returned to me and answered: I myself am heaven and hell.”
• “Indeed, the idols I have loved so long have done my credit in this world much wrong.”

These quotes reflect Khayyam’s philosophical depth, often blending themes of carpe diem, skepticism, and existential inquiry.