Wisdom
As they grow older, the wise slowly
Translated from Uzbek · Original text
As they grow older, the wise slowlyBegin to tie up the knot of their words.Smiling calmly at those who come and go,They begin to bow their heads gently.To such a man there came a youth in his prime,With warmth in his heart, and asked:“Why do you give advice to no one,Why do you find speaking such a burden?..”The wise teacher cast a glance at him,And saw how pure-hearted he was, how clean.Smiling, he said: “Alas and alas,Is it still for us to speak in this world?..Who are we, after all, that we should dareTo speak to someone, to teach good manners?If we set our caps aside and think honestly,No proper reason for speaking will be found.But at times torment burns from within,And it is hard to endure in the embrace of the flame.When your patience and fortitude are spent,You speak weeping — your state unsettled.Then your sighs and laments are excusable, of course,Then, helpless one, you may be forgiven.Otherwise, why peddle nonsense at every moment?!Why make people drink poison?!”The young man said again: “O great one,It is hard for me to understand you.But I have learned your words by heart,I will reflect on them now, this very day.But permit me, I have one question,If I do not know its answer, my heart will bleed.What prevails over the world today?In what state does man stand today?”“If I were a prophet, for such a questionRevelation would come, and I would answer you.But what a beautiful, fortunate state it is,That in our hands is the Book in which revelation is gathered.If you contemplate the divine word,The truth will manifest itself in your heart.Discovering the pearls of wisdom one by one,You will dive, in truth, into the depths of wordlessness.Living in the world is not easy,But it is not exceedingly hard either.If the poor man only knows his limits,He will pass through this journey safe and sound.But look at the affairs of the age:Mankind has lost its mind today —Alas, arms are opened wide to destruction,A satanic madness wells up from within.Sorrow grows from day to day,Mankind seeks triumph everywhere.The world was a prison as it was,And this prison keeps growing narrower still.But never lose your hope,Keep yourself pure, and be one of the faithful.Give up the bitter abasement of the world,Be worthy of eternal bliss and happiness!..”Akrom MALIK
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