Abu Nuwas — a remark

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“Accustom yourself to good deeds and perform them, for a person's nature is shaped by what they practice.”

Original: عوّد نفسك الخير وافعل الخير، فإنما الطبيعة عادة. — A striking reflection on habit and character from a master of classical Arabic verse · Attributed saying (Arabic)

About Abu Nuwas

Abu Nuwas

c. 756–c. 814

Abu Nuwas, whose full name was al-Hasan ibn Hani al-Hakami and whose life is generally dated from about 756 to about 814, occupies a singular position in the history of Arabic poetry. Few poets have been so admired for verbal brilliance, so censured for moral provocation, so repeatedly transformed into legend, and so…

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