Creative works of Abai

It is hard to avoid at least a small degree of self-satisfaction and complacency. I have identified two kinds: pride and boastful-ness.

A proud man has a high estimation of his own worth. He will do < his utmost to ensure that he is not regarded as an ignoramus and an unreliable person who doesn’t keep his promises, as ill-mannered, ar­rogant and a shameless liar, a spiteful critic and a crook. Aware of the baseness of these vices, he will aspire to be above them. This quality is peculiar to a man of conscience, reasonable and high-minded. He dislikes to hear people singing his praises but, on the other hand, will allow no one to sully his name. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

I wonder whom amongst the Kazakhs of today I could pos­sibly love or respect.

I would have respected a bey, but there are no true beys any more; even if there is one, he is not the master of his will and his wealth. At bitter enmity with some, he will, as a precaution,» give away his livestock to others and eventually finds himself beholden to a good hundred people. He believes, in his stupidity, that he has shown generosity by responding to their humble requests, but in fact he becomes dependent on them. You would call him nei­ther generous nor merciful. In his native land he struggles against his own people, squandering his wealth and currying favour with unworthy men. When the beys are at loggerheads, rogues of every kind appear, and they intimidate the beys and live at their expense. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

There is but one joy and one consolation which, like a curse, hangs over the Kazakh.

He rejoices when he meets a wicked man or sees some wicked deed, saying, “May Allah preserve us from that! Even he considers himself a worthy man, and compared to him, oth­ers are as pure as babes.” But did Allah say that it is enough for him to be better than such-and-such a person? Or perhaps clever people promised he would not be counted among the wicked if he should find someone more ignorant and vicious than himself? But can you become better by comparing yourself with a scoundrel? Good is learnt from good people. In a race it is understandable to ask yourself how many runners are still ahead of you, not how many fast horses are behind. Does it make to a loser any happier whether there were five or ten Arab steeds behind him? &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

It would be good if Kazakh children could get an education. To begin with, it would be enough to teach them Turkic letters. Yet such is our irreligious land that before we send our children to school, we have to acquire wealth; besides, they ought to learn the Persian and the Arabic languages. But can those who are hungry keep a clear mind, care about honour and show diligence in learning? Poverty and quarrels within tribes and families breed thievery, violence and greed. If you have livestock, your belly will be full. A craving for knowledge and a craft will come next. Then people will start thinking about getting an education and teaching their children at least something. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

Here are the words of the great Socrates about serving the omnipotent Creator, spoken in conversation with his pupil, the scholar Aristodemos, who frequently ridiculed believers.

“Well, Aristodemos, do you think there are people in the world whose creations are worthy of admiration?”

“There are many of them, master,” replied Aristodemos. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

Muslims! The world is peopled by the rich and by the poor, the healthy and the sickly, the wise and the stupid, the good and the wicked. If someone asks why this is so, you will reply: “Such is the will of Allah.”

It sometimes happens, however, that Allah bestows riches upon a despised loafer, while some person who worships God and toils honestly lives from hand to mouth and can barely feed his wife and children. A quiet, harmless man is often sick and feeble, while some scoundrel or thief enjoys excellent health. The same parents may have one clever and one stupid son. Allah exhorts everybody to be virtuous and live righteously. He directs the righteous along the right path, and sinners long the crooked path, rewarding the righteous with the bliss of paradise and sinners with the torments of Hell. Does this not contradict divine mercy and justice? Both people and their goods belong to Allah. And He disposes of His property as He wishes. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

Some Kazakh sayings merit attention and some do not, for they do not carry anything divine or human in them.

The Kazakhs say: “If you live in need, forget your shame.” Cursed be the life that knows no shame! But if the proverb counsels one not to shun any hard work, however lowly, there is nothing shameful in such work. An upright man should earn his bread honestly, not live on alms or sit back in indolence. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

What we call “boastful windbags” are found amongst our people, even if you put forty of them to the test, you won’t find one who can be of help. What are they good for? They lack good sense and self-esteem, they are narrow-minded and shallow, without valour, humanity or conscience.

Some fellow will fling over his shoulder: “Don’t bother me! Am I not better than others? Is my head strung to another man’s saddle? Does he put meat into my pot or give me livestock for milk?” &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »