Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Uthman was a companion and, through his daughter Aisha, a father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, as well as the first of the Rashidun Caliphs.
Initially a rich and respected businessman, Abu Bakr later became one of the first converts to Islam and extensively contributed his wealth in support of Muhammad’s work. He was among Muhammad’s closest companions, accompanying him on his migration to Medina and being present at a number of his military conflicts, such as the battles of Badr and Uhud.
Following Muhammad’s death in 632, Abu Bakr succeeded in the leadership of the Muslim community as the first Rashidun Caliph. During his reign, he overcame a number of uprisings, collectively known as the Ridda wars, as a result of which he was able to consolidate and expand the rule of the Muslim state over the entire Arabian peninsula. He also commanded the initial incursions into the neighbouring Sassanian and Byzantine empires, which in the years following his death, would eventually result in the Muslim conquests of Persia and the Levant. Abu Bakr died of illness after a reign of 2 years, 2 months and 14 days. (via Wikipedia)
A few of his wise quotes and proverbs are listed below:
On Death:
Death is the easiest of all things after it, and the hardest of all things before it.
There is no harm in patience, and no profit in lamentation. Death is easier to bear (than) that which precedes it, and more severe than that which comes after it. Remember the death of the Apostle of God, and your sorrow will be lessened.
On Knowledge:
When knowledge is limited – it leads to folly… When knowledge exceeds a certain limit, it leads to exploitation.
Knowledge is the life of the mind.
Without knowledge action is useless and knowledge without action is futile.
On God:
He who builds a masjid in the way of Allah, God will build a house for him in the paradise.
If you expect the blessings of God, be kind to His people.
God helps those who fear Him.
Allah will help him who moves in the way of Allah.
Other Quotes:
He who avoids complaint invites happiness.
The greatest truth is honesty, and the greatest falsehood is dishonesty
If an ignorant person is attracted by the things of the world, that is bad. But if a learned person is thus attracted, it is worse.