The twenty-third word

The twenty-third word

Abai Kunanbaev is the Shakesphere of Kazakh literature. His Book of Words, «Kara Sozder», created by the great thinker constitute an ethnic philosophical work. This creation of his is an exploration of Kazakh national life in the second half of the 19th century. He influenced social affairs in the country where he lived.

A person has a special joy and one consolation, that doesn’t make him honour. This joy is following: he finds a bad person among the people, sees someone’s evil act, which he would never make and feels himself over the moon. «Save us Allah from being like this! -He says, not without pleasure. -And he considers himself to be a man. Am not I pure in comparison with him? Am not I effulgent? »

But did God say to him that it is enough to be better than a bad man? Where is that brightest head, who convinced him that he's good only because there are unkind and fool people in the world.

When distributing prizes at baiga, in which one hundred horses were attended, what is the use to ask the fallen behind how much he overtook? What is good in that five or ten horses who came after him?

Is a person's worth determined by comparing him with the bad people, not the best of the best? A man often finds consolation in the fact that the others live as he does. «There is nothing to be ashamed if I do not stand out among the people - he says with a light heart. – Toy that we celebrate with each other is the greatest Toy. Praise God for the solace. »

But did Allah tell him that it is quite enough, if he does not fall behind the crowd? Or told him that he, the Almighty, does not punish the crowd?

 Who knows, is the science driven by one person, or it belongs to all?

Who will answer - is the mind the body of knowledge of many or spiritual power of one?

And does not an errant crowd require only one person, the clairvoyant?

Which is easier: when everyone is sick in the house or half of the family is healthy?

What is better in the way: when all the horses are exhausted or when half of them are not able to continue the way?

What is better: when all the people are ruined from jute, or some part of them?

So why does a fool take comfort in the existence of brainless fools?

Will the groom convince the bride, if he says that he has bad breath only because in his family all smelled so? Hardly the bride will be satisfied and will say to him: «Be like all your kind, and don’t stand out among them».


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