DÖRDÜNCÜ FASIL · Beşinci Madde
Fifth Article
Regarding the animal soul within the human body, it details the servants from which morality originates, elaborating on the forces of anger and desire.
O esteemed one! Know that anatomists [140/a] have stated: A movement arising from the animal soul, intended to ward off harm or overcome an adversary, when produced in the heart, is called the force of anger (wrath). This anger makes it its task and profession to repel harm or defeat others. The seat and origin of anger’s workings are the heart. Its moderation is courage, with which endeavors requiring effort and determination are undertaken. Courage is a beautiful trait, valued and esteemed in religion and humanity. The excess of anger (immoderation) is vehemence [8], through which one enters into actions that need not be done; this is among the bad character traits.
The deficiency of anger (scarcity) is cowardice [9], whereby endeavors undertaken where cowardice exists are avoided. This trait, like the previous one, originates from bad morality. A movement arising from the animal soul in the heart, intended to secure benefit or attain pleasure, is called the force of desire. The entire effort and art of the force of desire is known to be acquiring gain and seizing what is desired. The seat and center of desire’s workings are known to be the heart.
The moderation of desire (its middle ground) is modesty [10], through which one undertakes inclinations and desires appropriate to religion and humanity. Modesty is among the beautiful character traits. The excess of desire (immoderation) is licentiousness [11], through which one enters into ugly desires unbecoming of religion and humanity. Licentiousness is among the bad character traits. The deficiency of desire (scarcity) is languor [12], whereby, if languor exists in a person, he will not fulfill even his human desires and wishes. This trait too is known to originate from bad morality.
The anger and desire forces explained above submit to the dominion of the human soul, which will be explained shortly, bowing to every command of it like slaves in all circumstances; then both become moderate, and from them two beautiful traits are obtained: one being courage and the other modesty. The human soul that overcomes and possesses its anger and desire is free and perfect. If the contrary occurs—that is, if anger and desire overcome the human soul and subjugate it, making it work like a slave and servant—then anger and desire depart from the middle way (moderation). From them arise four bad character traits: vehemence, cowardice, greed, and languor. How many bad character traits are born and multiplied from these four! The human soul defeated by anger and desire is a captive, containing deficiencies, ignorant of itself—indeed, ignorant even of his Lord.
“O God! Do not abandon us to ourselves for an instant, even less than the blink of an eye! Be on our side! Do not be against us! Sustain us with Your tranquility and Your blessings.”
Poem
Since we are slaves of the bestial soul, make us free,
Make us a slave to You, grant us mastery over desire and anger.
Modern Turkish Translation:
We have become slaves of the animal soul. O God, deliver us and give us our freedom. Make us only Your servant, enable us to be masters of our desires and anger.