Quote by Al-Mutanabbi: “If you see the teeth of the lion, do not think that the lion is smiling.”

This famous line warns against misinterpreting appearances and underestimating danger. It teaches to look beyond superficial signs and recognize true threats, reminding one that a seemingly benign exterior can hide lethal intentions.

Composed during a turbulent period of political intrigue and warfare in the Abbasid Caliphate, where deception and hidden dangers were common, making this advice particularly relevant in courtly life.

Arab poet born around 915 CE in Kufa, widely regarded as the greatest poet in the Arabic language and one of the most influential figures in Arabic literary history. His panegyric poetry, composed for the courts of Aleppo and Egypt, is celebrated for its pride, ambition, and mastery of form.