Wisdom of the Great

EMERSON, RALPH WALDO (1803–1882) –the American writer and philosopher, public person, one of the most significant notionalists of the USA. In 1821, he graduated from Harvard where he had got theological education. Some of his poems – Brahma, Days, The Snow-Storm and Concord Hymn – entered the classics of the American literature.

Ralph Waldo gained the affection of readers in Germany, even exerting his influence on the great philosopher F.Nietzsche.

In Russia, Emerson impressed Leo Tolstoy and other Russian writers greatly. In a number of L. Tolstoy’s statements in his diaries, letters and articles one can see the similarity of his views with the philosophy of Emerson. Tolstoy had high regard for the American notionalist, calling him ‘the Christian religious writer’.

In the second half of the XIXth century, Ralph Waldo Emerson took the place of American nation’s spiritual leader being vacant after the death of Benjamin Franklin.

EMERSON:
‘The best gift is the embracement: it suits everybody’s size, and nobody is against if you give it back’.

‘Don’t go where the road goes… Go where there is no road, and leave your imprint’.

‘Everything being behind us and being before us is nothing in comparison with what is inside us’.

‘The man is comprised of the books he reads’.

‘No one in the world is able of providing you with inward peace except for yourselves’.

‘A real genius can be recognized by all positive fools’ conspiring against him upon his appearing’

‘Your appearance speaks louder than you’.

‘A wise person always takes the side of those who attacks him. He is more interested to find his weak spot than they’.

‘The radiance of friendship is not in lending a helping hand, not in a kind smile, not in joyfulness of cooperation; it is in spiritual insightdescending onto a manthe moment he realizes the existence of another man believing in him and trusting him in friendship’.

http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Эмерсон,_Ральф_Уолдо
http://www.inpearls.ru/author/1272/2

Tonino Guerra (1920 -2012) — an Italian poet, writer and screenwriter. The author of more than a hundred of movies, many of which belong to the golden fund of the world cinema: Marriage Italian-Style, Blow-Up, Zabriskie Point, Amarcord, And the Ship Sails On, Ginger and Fred and others. The winner of two Oscars and three Golden Lions, the holder of six nominations at the Cannes Film Festival and two Donatello awards.

Being twenty-year-old, he got to the German concentration camp, where, despite everything, on the verge of life and death he wrote verses and remembered them by heart, since he had neither paper, nor a pencil. These verses brought Guerra to the cinema years later. The troubles of life did not break this bright person; he has lived a long and interesting life, creating a sunny world around himself.

At one of his last visits to Moscow, giving the interview for a radio station, the film writer told the following story:

“When I was writing the script of the Marriage Italian-Style for De Sica, I came to Naples and he invited me to the café. An ordinary café, near the train station; the doors were opened as it was hot summer. And here two men came in and said, “Five coffees: two for us now and three suspended in the air.” They went paying, paid for five coffees, drank two of them and walked away. I asked De Sica, what the suspended coffee was. He told me, “Wait.” Then other people came in: girls drank their coffee and paid regularly, three lawyers came in and ordered seven coffees, “Three for us and four suspended.” They paid for seven, drank and went away, when a young man ordered two coffees, drank one, paid for two and walked away. Thus, De Sica and I sat speaking until the noon, and the doors were opened, so I looked at that square lit by the sun, when I suddenly saw some dark shadow approaching the door. By the very door of the bar I saw that it was a poor man, he peeped in the café and asked, “Do you have some suspended coffee?”

This strange custom came from Naples; there the visitors of cafés leave for the poor not only coffee, but also food. Such charity not in the least depreciates but, quite the contrary, stresses the importance of little but good daily actions.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) — one of the leaders and ideologist of the national liberation movement of India. His philosophy of non-violence Satyagraha had an impact on national and international movements of those who supported peaceful changes. He rejected violence in any form. For more than 30 years he persistently preached his philosophy and finally proved the effectiveness of non-violence policy to the whole world when India peacefully gained independence from Britain thanks to Gandhi’s efforts in 1947.

But a savage struggle broke out between religious groups for the right to dictate their will to the government in the awakening country.

The year of 1947 ended with bitter disappointment for Gandhi. He kept proving the fatuity of violence but nobody seemed to listen to him. In January 1948, in a desperate attempt to stop the interethnic strife Mahatma Gandhi resorted to a hunger strike. He explained his decision this way: “Death will become a miraculous escape for me. It is better to die than to be a helpless eyewitness of India’s self-destruction”.

His name is respected in India as much as names of saints are pronounced. The spiritual leader of the nation Mahatma Gandhi fought all his life against religious strife which was tearing his country apart, against violence, but he became its victim in the decline of his years. Mahatma means “Great Soul”. This title perfectly reveals the real character of Gandhi. He enjoyed great confidence by Indians irrespective of casts and religion, thousands of people came to him to ask for help and advice and they got them.

Albert Einstein:
“Moral influence which Gandhi had on thinking people is much stronger than it seems possible nowadays with excess of violence. We are grateful to the fate to have such a brilliant contemporary who points the direction for future generations … Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth”.
(http://www.gandhi.ru/)

Mahatma Gandhi:

“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching”.

Today in ‘Wisdom of the Great’ column we would like to introduce to our readers the star of modern Argentine literature, famous psychologist and psychotherapist, Jorge Bucay. His books have been translated into 18 languages of the world; the total print exceeds 2 million of copies.

Latin –American writers say that daily you may meet in public transport, at least, two or three persons reading Doctor Bucay’s books absorbedly.

Critics remark: ‘This wisdom and, undoubtedly, optimistic writer has an apparent ability to say simply about complicated things. Reading of his books may be equaled to a trip to real psychotherapist.’

Jorge Bucay’s writings are notable for fascinating plot, humor and wisdom, they impress optimism and help people to live, love and understand themselves.

“Sit down,” said the teacher after listening to him. “You are like this ring: a worthy and unique jewel. The only person who can understand your true worth is an expert. Why do you go around expecting that anyone you meet on the street knows your true worth?” So saying, he put the ring back on his little finger.

A king went to his garden and discovered that his trees, bushes and flowers were dying. The Oak told him that it was dying because it could not be as tall as the Pine. Getting back to the Pine, he found it drooping because it could not produce grapes as the grapevine. The Grapevine was dying, because it could not bloom as a Rose. The Rose was crying because it could not be as tall and solid as the Oak. Then he found a plant, a Freesia, in bloom and as fresh as ever.

Now it is your turn. You are here to contribute with your fragrance. Simply look at yourself. There is no possibility that you can be another person. You can either enjoy being you and grow watered by your own love for yourself, or wither condemned by your own sentence…

Today we want to remember an interesting person, one of the founders of modern theoretical physics, a laureate of Nobel Prize in1921, Albert Einstein (1879-1955). Definitely most of us remember his photo with tongue put out, old man Albert had a good sense of humor:

All know the great scientist Einstein, but few people know that he was dedicated pacifist and philosopher, he thought a lot about life, a human being and humanity. Let us ponder over his ten wisdom sayings. These ideas reserved for dozens of years and now remain actual and popular.

A person who never made a mistake, never tried to do something new.

There is also one similar proverb: ‘The man who never made a mistake, never made anything’. Actually, if a person is afraid of everything and never tries to do something then there will be no positive changes in his/her life. Go ahead!

Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.

Indeed, after school graduation something is put out of mind. But knowledge which was learned with interest remains forever. Give more attention to favorite subjects.

In my imagination I am free to draw like an artist. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination embraces the whole world.

Thanks to human imagination people now can flight to the cosmic space, swim through ocean, talk with friends, who are at the other end of the world. Continue to imagine and, perhaps, within dozen of years we will be able to travel in time!

The secret of creativity is the ability to hide your sources of inspiration.

I suppose that the whole world should not know how an author succeeded to write a wonderful book or create an amazing sculpture. The masterpiece shall remain in secret, only then it fiercely attracts the attention of people.

The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable receiving. Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value.

Learn to give love, joy and possibilities, then everything will return in hundredfold.

There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

Choosing the first way you will have to live in a dim and dull world, full of bitterness and disappointments. Everything changes in the second way – every new day becomes unique gift, which brings joy and success.

When I learn myself and my way of thinking I have come to the conclusion that the gift of imagination and fantasy meant for me far more than any capacities for abstract thinking.

Do not be afraid to build castles in the air! Positive mind is the secret of success.

To become a distinguished member of flock of sheep, primarily, one must be a sheep.
Certainly, you should learn to live in society fitting into society requirements. It is impossible to resist everyone and everything. But it is important to save healthy individuality of a person.

One must learn game rules and then one must begin to play better than all around.

Do not attract attention, when you are a newcomer in any staff. Firstly you should look around and familiarize yourself with the situation. It is important to remember that the single way to be head and shoulders above others consists in the ability to know and manage far more than others.

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.

Thirst for knowledge is the index of successful future. Imbibe new knowledge. Do not hesitate to ask questions. It is better to bother more experienced person, than remain with intellectual lacunas.

We understood and described great Albert Einstein’s sayings in the following way. Perhaps, you have your own, differed from our opinion. Write about your opinion, it will be interesting. The most original ideas will be published on the pages of our website.

Abai Qunanbayev (1845-1904) was a great Kazakh enlightener, poet, classic and composer.

Abai played a great part in creation of literary Kazakh language and left uneclipsed, artistic heritage.

In The Book of Words the philosopher ponds over about a human being and humanity, about difficult contradictory world, about science and education, customs, traditions and history of his nation.

We publish here some extracts from this work. Even nowadays Abai’s words sound acutely and modernly.

Abai Kunanbaev “Book of words”

Whether for good or ill, I have lived my life, travelling a long road fraught with struggles and quarrels, disputes and arguments, suffering and anxiety, and reached these advanced years to find myself at the end of my tether, tired of everything. I have realized the vanity and futility of my labors and the meanness of my existence. What shall I occupy myself with now and how shall I live out the rest of my days? I am puzzled that I can find no answer to this question.

Well, I have decided at length: henceforth, pen and paper shall be my only solace, and I shall set down mythoughts. Should anyone find something useful here, lethim copy it down or memorise it. And if no one has anyneed of my words, they will remain with me anyway.

There is an essential difference, in my view, between intelligent and stupid people.
Coming into this world, man cannot live without being attracted and excited by the fascinating things around him. Those days of questioning and passionate interests remain in a person’s memory as the brightest period of life.
A sensible man will interest himself in worthy and serious matters, he will steadfastly pursue his objectives, and even his recollections of his past struggles to attain them will be heard with pleasure and warm the hearts of his listeners. Such a person will not betray even a shadow of regret over the years he has lived.
A frivolous man dissipates his time in worthless, futile and absurd undertakings. When he comes to his senses, he realises that his best years have swiftly passed in vain, and his belated regrets bring no consolation. In his younger days he behaves as if youth were eternal, never doubting that even more captivating delights are in store for him. Yet all too soon, losing his former strength and agility, he becomes good for nothing.
Another temptation lurks in the path of passionate souls. Success — attained or within their grasp — intoxicates their senses and makes them dizzy. The flush of success clouds their reason and causes them to commit blunders; a man like this attracts attention even against his will, he becomes an object of gossip and a butt of ridicule.
Reasonable people keep their wits about them even in such critical moments; they will not lose their senses but rather show restraint and not expose their feelings to all and sundry.
But a stupid person is like a horseman galloping on a steed without a bridle: lifting his eyes to the sky as if crazy and having lost his cap in his frenzy, off he goes and does not see that the edge of his chapan covers the horse’s rear…
This is what I have observed.
If you wish to be counted among the intelligent, then ask yourself once a day, once a week, or at least once a month: «How do I live? Have I done anything to improve my learning, my worldly life or my life hereafter? Will I have to swallow the bitter dregs of regret later on?»
Or perhaps you don’t know or remember how you have lived and why?

It is hard to avoid at least a small degree of self-satisfaction and complacency. I have identified two kinds: pride and boastfulness.
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.
A braggart, on the other hand, does his best to be talked about as much as possible. Let everyone know that he is a batyr, rich and of noble of descent…! Yet what he overlooks is that people may also say things about him that he would not in the least like to hear. But, to the tell the truth, the other kind of fame—notoriety—doesn’t much bother him. Such braggarts are usually of three types.
The first is eager to gain fame abroad, amongst strangers. This is an ignorant fellow, but he still retains some human virtues.
The second wants to be famous in his own tribe. This type is a complete ignoramus and scarcely human.
The third one shows off before his family or in his native village, for no outsider would ever approve of his boasting. This one is the most ignorant of all, no longer a man.
He who strives for praise among strangers will seek to distinguish himself amongst his own tribe. He who desires acclaim from his tribe will strive for plaudits from his nearest and dearest. And he who is after the praise of his family is sure he will get it by extolling and praising him¬self to the skies.

We can name four means that promote the perception and memorization 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;
thirdly, you should ponder over these wise words and repeat them over and over again so as to imprint them in your memory;
fourthly, you should avoid harmful states of the mind and resist them even in the face of temptation.
These states of mind are: careless sloth, indifference, senseless amusement, the inclination to morose reflection and destructive passion. These vices can destroy both your mind and your talent.

Those who seek learning should know certain essential conditions without which they cannot achieve their goal.
– 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.
But if you have another purpose in mind, seek knowledge only with the aim of getting rich, your attitude to learning will be the same as that of a woman to her stepson. If your soul and your mind are well intentioned towards learning, it will be benevolent in turn—it will surrender to you readily. But it will show half-hearted benevolence to a half-hearted person.
– Study with clear and noble aims, not to acquire learning so as to be able to argue with other people. Now, arguments within reason help to strengthen one’s convictions, but, excessive zeal for them can only spoil a man. For lovers of wrangling will launch into disputes not for the sake of ascertaining the truth but rather to show off their knowledge and get the upper hand of other people. Such arguments breed envy, add not a whit of humanity, and do not serve scholarship—on the contrary, they simply confuse people. This is the vain occupation of troublemakers. He who leads hundreds astray from the right path is not worth the little finger of one who has brought just one man back to the path of truth.
True, disputation is one of the paths to knowledge, but a person who gives himself entirely to this runs the risk of becoming conceited and arrogant, an envious gossip. Such a person will be not averse to slander, backbiting and vituperation, which only lowers human dignity.
– If you have succeeded in your pursuit of a truth, do not turn back from it even on pain of death. But if you are not convinced of your knowledge, do not imagine that someone else will appreciate it. If you do not value your own knowledge, how can you expect recognition from utter strangers?
– I spoke previously of four harmful attitudes of mind, and among these we named careless sloth or idleness. My soul! I enjoin you, to beware of this evil! It is pernicious both for God and for man, both for reason and for honour. It is the arch enemy of everything! But there is no place for this evil where conscience resides.
– Human character is a vessel containing intelligence and knowledge. Develop your character therefore! By indulging in envy and frivolity, by allowing yourself to be influenced by the words of others and momentary passions, you may forfeit your strength of character. Learning will be of no avail if the vessel that receives your knowledge is not sound.
To attain your goal and be faithful to your duty, you should foster constancy of purpose, determination and strong will, for these help preserve the sobriety of your reason and the purity of your conscience.

1. Judge a man’s qualities by the intentions of his action and not by its outcome.
2. However good a thought, it is tarnished by passing through human lips.
3. You may find solace by saying wise words to a conceited fool but, more often than not, they vanish into thin air.
4. Render good to a wise man; a fool will only be spoilt by it.
5. A father’s son is an enemy to other people. But a son of mankind is your dear brother.
6. A good man may ask much, but will be content with little; a despicable one will ask much, but will be dissatisfied even if he gets more than he asked for.
7. He who works for his own benefit alone is like an animal that grazes to fill its own stomach; but he who works to fulfil his human duty, the Most High will distinguish by His love.
8. Who poisoned Socrates, burnt Joan of Arc, and crucified Jesus? Who buried our Prophet in the carcass of a camel? The masses, the multitude! The multitude is devoid of reason. Seek to direct in onto the path of truth.
9. Man is a child of his time. If he is bad, his contemporaries are to blame.
10. Had I the power, I would cut out the tongue of anyone who asserts that man is incorrigible.
11. To be left alone is like dying. The lonely person suf fers misfortunes of every kind. The world knows many a vicious thing, but also pleasures and joys. Who will endure the former in dignity? And who will not be corrupted by the latter?
12. Who among us has not known trouble? Only the weak lose hope. Nothing in this world is immutable, and misfortune cannot last for ever. Does not the bountiful and blossoming spring follow the harsh winter?
13. He who keeps silent in his anger contains his fury within himself. He who spits abuse is either a braggart or a coward.
14. Success and good luck make a man drunk. Only one in a thousand can keep cool and reasonable.
15. If you want your labours to be successful, start the job in hand wisely.
16. High office is like a high cliff. The slow snake will crawl up it and the hawk will swoop down on it. Ill-wishers start praising those who have not yet reached the top, and the latter, being credulous, will rejoice at such praise.
17. The world is an ocean, time is a breath of wind, early waves are elder brothers, and late waves are younger brothers. Generation succeeds generation, even though things seems immutable in their quietude.
18. A common man renowned for his cleverness is greater than a king who has been raised up by good for tune. A youth who sells his handiwork is worthier than an old man selling his beard.
19. A beggar with a full belly is the devil incarnate; a lazy Sufi is nothing but a hypocrite.
20. A false friend is like a shadow: when the sun shines on you, you can’t get rid of him, but when clouds gather over you, he is nowhere to be seen.
21. Be frank with those without friends; keep on good terms with those who have many. Beware of the careless man; be a shield to the destitute.
22. There is no use of anger without power, love with out fidelity and a teacher without pupils.
23. While you are seeking happiness, everybody wishes you well; but once you have attained it, your only well – wisher is yourself.

VOCABULARY OF UNFAMILIAR WORDS
aga: an elder
arshin: an old measuring rod equivalent to 28 inches
aul: village, nomadic community
ay at: quoatation from the Qur’an, verse of a surah
batyr: brave warrior, hero
bey (bai): in Central Asia, a wealthy owner of land and livestock
biy: local judge among the Kazakhs
chapan: horseman’s cloak or mantle
dombra: stringed musical instrument
dzhigit: expert horseman in the Caucasus and Central Asia
dzhut: mass starvation of cattle in winter resulting in famine Fatihab al-kitab. the frst surah of the Qur’an
Hadith: account of the words and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions, second only to the Qur’an
hazret: Muslim priest
iman: faith
ishan: lowest rank of clergy
jomart: generous man who does charitable deeds
khadi (cadi): Muslim judge
kobyz: stringed musical instrument
koumiss: mare’s milk
myrza: nobleman vested with power, philanthropist
Nogai: Kazakh name for Tatars
nokai: dull, stupid
qibla: orientation towards Mecca and the Black Stone of the sacred Kabah building in that city, to which Muslims turn when praying
surah: chapter of the Qur’an
Surt-Sart: rattle, overtalkative person
tarikat: here, a religious doctrine preaching spiritual self-perception through strict abstinence and complete humility
top-basy: tribal elder
uyezd: larger administrative district
volost: small rural district
yel-basy: tribal chief

Gibran Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) – a famous Lebanese-American philosopher, artist, poet and writer of the XX century. He was born in Bsharri, wherefrom he, at the age of 12, with his mother and sisters immigrated to the USA.

The Prophet (1923), the book famed Kahlil Gibran, was the peak of the poet’s philosophy and was translated to more than 100 languages.

Introduce our readers the extract from this great work – conversation of a rich man with the Prophet about charity:

Затем говорил богач:
– Раскажи нам о том, как следует ДАВАТЬ.

Вы часто говорите: «Я дал бы, но тому, кто заслуживает».
Деревья сада вашего так не рассуждают, как и скот на пастбищах ваших.
Они дают, чтобы жить, ибо сберечь для себя – значит, погибнуть.
Воистину, кто достоин получить свои дни и ночи, тот достоин получить и все остальное.
И кто избран был пить из океана жизни, заслуживает того, чтоб наполнить чашу свою и из вашего крошечного ручейка.
Да и какая тягота больше той, что взваливает на себя принимающий подаяние. Храбрость и мужество, не говоря уже о милосердии, нужны чтобы принять его.
Да и кто вы такие, чтобы люди унижались перед вами, падая ниц, оголяя при этом свою гордость, обнажая перед вами свое достоиство и позволяя вам попирать его?
Убедитесь прежде, достойны ли вы быть дающими, орудиями подаяния?
Ведь в действительности, это жизнь дает жизни, в то время как, воображая себя дающими, вы – всего лишь свидетели.
И вы, получатели, – а вы все получатели, – не обременяйтесь мыслью о размере благодарности, дабы не возложить ярмо на себя или того, кто дает.
Не лучше ль с дающими вместе подняться на дарах его, как на крыльях?
Потому как слишком беспокоиться о долге своем – значит, сомневаться в великодушии тех, для кого щедрая земля – мать, а Бог – отец.

We will begin the series from publication of the Commandments of Mother Teresa (1910-1997), a catholic nun who dedicated all her life to creation of schools, shelters, hospitals for poor and seriously ill children and grown-up people notwithstanding to their nationality and confession. Mother Teresa is the possessor of the Nobel Prize for “Rendering the Assistance to the Afflicted”.

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centred — Love them anyway.
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. — Do good anyway.
3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies — Succeed anyway.
4. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable — Be honest and frank anyway.
5. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight — Build anyway.
6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds — Think big anyway.
7. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow – Do good anyway.
8. People favour underdogs but follow only top dogs — Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them — Help people anyway.
10. Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth — Give the world the best you have anyway.

Beginning from this year we open two new headings “Wisdom of Great Persons” and “History of success” on the pages of our web site, where we will publish articles about interesting people, life histories of prominent figures, extracts and quotations from inestimable papers of classicists and contemporaries. We think that the guests of our web site will be interested to contemplate about the sense of imperishable phrases and texts, unique stories of remarkable persons’ life establishing, descriptions of their complex ways to their achievements will inspire our readers to great performances.