Ancient Wisdom

There was once a good man. He had spent his whole life in cultivating the qualities enjoined upon those who would reach Paradise. He gave freely to the poor, he loved his fellow creatures and he served them. Remembering the need to have patience, he endured great and unexpected hardships, often for the sake of others. He made journeys in search of knowledge. His humility and exemplary behaviour were such that his repute as a wise man and good citizen resounded from the East to the West, and from the North to the South. All these qualities he did indeed exercise-whenever he remembered to do so. But he had one shortcoming, and that was 'heedlessness'. This tendency was not strong on him, and he considered that, balanced against the other things which he did practise, it could only be regarded as a small fault. There were some poor people whom he did not help, because time to time he was insensitive to their needs. Love and service, too, was sometimes forgotten when what he though

  'Mulla Nasrudin' was driving a friend in his car at a spanking pace. Suddenly, glimpsing a signpost, the friend called out: 'Mulla', we are going in the wrong direction!" 'Why don't you ever think of something good? Look, for instance, at the speed we're going at!"

  It is related that two students were arguing about 'Man.' The first student said: "Man arrives at Truth by personal effort and research. Beginnnig with ignorance, he graduates to knowledge.' The second said: "Man arrives at Truth only through guidance by expert masters.' The almost came to blows, and were far from resolving their contentions when a real Sufi happened to pass. The two decided to refer the question to him. He asked: "Should I say something on this issue?" 'Yes, please' they urged him. 'Very well. Now, has each of you seen two dogs fighting about a bone?" 'We have', they said. 'And have you ever see the bone itself join in the argument? 'THINK ABOUT IT. '

There was once a young man who sought out a wise man, and asked him: "I wish to be wise-how can I achieve my wish of wisdom?" The Sage heaved a great sigh and answered: "There was once a young man, just like you." "He was to be wise, and this wish had great strength." "Suddenly he found himself sitting, as I am, with a youth, like you, seated before him, asking, "How can I be wise?"