Creative works of Abai

We can name four means that promote the perception and memorisation of what is heard:

First, you should acquire spiritual firmness and deter­mination;

secondly, you should heed wise counsels attentively and with an open heart, eager to grasp the meaning of what is said; &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

Those who seek learning should know certain essential condi­tions without which they cannot achieve their goal.

First, do not attempt to do so for the sake of profit. You should love learning for its own sake and strive for it. If you value knowledge as a supreme blessing, each new truth you uncover will bring peace and satisfaction to your soul. Memorise well what is new to you, and you will feel the desire-for new quests, and a love of knowledge will be born in your heart. Then your memory will absorb whatever you have seen and heard. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

If you want to be rich, learn a trade. Wealth diminishes with time, but a skill does not. He who sells the fruits of his labour without trying to deceive is considered saintly by the people. Yet those on whom God has bestowed some skill will not avoid cer­tain vices either.

First of all, they may not endeavour to improve their skill by seeking to learn from better artisans. Content with what little pro­ficiency they have, such people indulge in indolence. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

Everyone knows that humans are mortal, that death comes not only for the aged and that, having taken someone away, will never give him back. The Kazakh is aware of this, but not through deep reflection

The Kazakhs say they believe in a God who calls everybody to account when they die; He requites good with good and punishes those who do evil. They believe that His rewards and punishments differ from those on earth: His rewards are infinite in their generosity, and the penalties He metes out are immensely harsh. But I do not trust their words, for they do not hold their faith sincerely and consciously. If they truly believed what they say, they would act according to their faith and would not know sorrow. Is it possible to convince such people of some other things if they are feeble in their faith even in regard to these truths? How to correct their ways? Can they be called true Muslims? &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

Calling to His Judgement the Hadjis, Sufis, Mullahs, Jomarts and Sayyids, the Most High will demand much of them. He will set aside those among them who, during their earthly span, served and did good works only to earn respect and the good things of life. He will separate them from those who desired only to serve and please Allah. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

In the words of Our Prophet, may Allah bless his name, re­corded in the Hadith:”He who is without shame is also without faith.” Similarly, our folk saying declares: “He who has shame also has iman.” It is obvious therefore: shame is an integral part of iman. But what is shame?

There is a shame born of ignorance. It is akin to the timid­ity of a child who is shy of uttering a word or approaching a stranger even if it has done no mischief. He who is guiltless be­fore the Shariah and his own conscience but is ashamed of what he should not be ashamed displays a sure sign of stupidity and low breeding. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

Judge a man’s qualities by the intentions of his action and not by its outcome.

However good a thought, it is tarnished by passing through human lips.

You may find solace by saying wise words to a conceited fool but, more often than not, they vanish into thin air.

Render good to a wise man; a tool will only be spoilt by it.

A father’s son is an enemy to other people. But a son of mankind is your dear brother. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

My dear children, the solace of my heart! I have just written a few words on human actions, and I bequeath what I have writ­ten to you as a momento. Read carefully and try to understand the meaning of these words, and your hearts will be full of love. Now, human love is inseparable from human reason, intelligence and loving kindness. The source of these virtues are the perfec­tions that are bestowed on man from his birth: sound health and a beautiful appearance; the rest depends on the nobility of soul of one’s father and mother, on wise mentors and kind friends. Love engenders aspiration and understanding, while reason, intelligence and loving kindness kindle an interest in learning. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

Yes, our forefathers were certainly inferior to the present gen­eration in learning, civility, neatness and tidiness. Yet they pos­sessed two merits which we have not.

Overcoming, little by little, the shortcomings that we in­herited from our forefathers, we have lost those merits. Had we possessed determination in our character and done our utmost to safeguard the old virtues while acquiring new qualities, we might have been the equal of other nations. But since we lack resolve and force of character, we have let the newly acquired qualities foster demonic, rather than human, properties in us. This is one of the main reasons why we have forfeited our national virtues. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

Now, this is what I would like to ask you, honoured men.

How come that we speak no ill of the dead but find no worthy people among the living?

Why do old folks live in peace with the young but constantly quarrel among themselves, even though their contemporaries grow fewer with every passing day? &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »