Facsimile · p. 70
This art collects its rules, whether for correcting errors in reading and writing, or for improving them. In that case, it is not the Arabic language that is intended, but rather any language in which this exists. Yes, Arabic is the most eloquent, greatest, broadest, and most sublime of languages to the ear. Thus, one who knows Latin knows all that relates to it, and has an understanding of grammar in itself and in other areas, such as morphology. It is ignorance to say that one knows nothing simply because they are ignorant of Arabic. If a person masters one language, they have the potential to master another, meaning that if something from another language were translated and explained to them, they would be capable of receiving and comparing it with their own language. Indeed, they might already know it, know more than it, and be able to refine it and reject what the intellect does not accept. How can this be, when mastery is the faculty? Thus, one might not know information in Arabic but know it in French, and it is translated for them. Indeed, every language is specific, but its cause, its length, and its fortune. Yes, not all that is followed is water, nor all a roof is a sky, nor all a house is the house of God, nor all Muhammad is the Messenger of God. As the poet said: "Far from it, not all breezes are Hijazi, Nor all light that emerges from the East and West." And another said: "And not all whose fingers are counted is Buthaynah, Nor all whose hearts are taken is Jalil." There is no doubt that the language of the Arabs is the greatest and most delightful of languages, pure gold refined by its wisdom, like a tower. And how eloquent is he who said: "The Arabic address is fitting for its people, For it guides loyalty from deficiency and beauty from ugliness. And among the honor of the Arabs is that glory Came from an Arab origin, from eloquent Arabs, And that the Mathani were revealed in its tongue, With what it was distinguished in address from praise."