A Bedouin, having loaded two sacks onto his camel—one full, one empty—was accosted by a traveler who engaged him in conversation, questioning him about his origins and homeland. Through these inquiries, the traveler pierced many pearls of wisdom. Then he asked: “What is in those two sacks? Tell me truthfully!” The Bedouin replied, “One contains wheat; the other, sand – nothing edible.” The traveler inquired, “Why did you fill it with sand?”
The Bedouin responded, “To prevent the sack from being empty.” The traveler said, “Use your intelligence and put half the wheat in one sack and half in the other. This will lighten both sacks and ease the camel’s burden.” The Bedouin greatly appreciated this idea and exclaimed, “O intelligent and free judge, possessing such a refined thought and beautiful insight, why are you so bare, walking on foot and tiring yourself?” The kind-hearted Bedouin felt compassion for him and wanted to place him on the camel. He repeated, “O eloquent judge, tell me a little about your circumstances. With such intellect and capability, you must be either a vizier or a sovereign! Tell me truthfully!” The judge replied, “I am neither; I am just an ordinary person from among the people. Look at my clothes – they reflect my humble state!” The Bedouin then asked, “How many camels and oxen do you possess?”
The judge responded, “Do not prolong this. I own nothing of that sort.” The Bedouin said, “Very well, tell me what goods are in your shop!” The judge replied, “Where is my shop? Where is my home and land?” The Bedouin then asked, “Then let me ask you about your money: You travel alone, offering pleasant advice, so how much wealth do you have?”
“The alchemy to transform the base metals of this world into gold lies within you! Your intellect and knowledge are a vast treasure!” exclaimed the Bedouin. The judge replied, “O pride of Arabia, truly, not even money, but I don’t have enough to buy food for one night. I run barefoot with an exposed head, going wherever someone offers me a slice of bread. All this wisdom, virtue, and talent has only brought me frustration and headaches.” The Bedouin then said, “Go away from me. Let your ill-fortune not fall upon me. Remove this empty wisdom from me. Your words are nonsense to the people of this age. Either you go that way, and I go this way, or you lead the way, and I follow behind. A sack full of wheat and one with sand is better than your wisdom, you worthless man! My foolishness is a blessed foolishness. I have sustenance in my heart, and my soul is a guardian of abstinence!”
If you also desire the diminution of your folly, then work; let the wisdom within you diminish. Wisdom born from nature, formed by imagination, is a wisdom that has not received its share of the divine light. Worldly wisdom dispels doubt and conjecture, while religious wisdom elevates man to the heights of destiny.
The impudent self-assuredness of the end times considers themselves superior to those who came before them. They have learned trickery, burning their livers with deceit, memorizing schemes and manipulations. They have given the true capital—patience, generosity, and benevolence.
Thought is said to open a path. A path is said to bring forth a sovereign. A sovereign is said to be self-made; not through treasures or armies. For if he becomes a self-made sovereign, his sovereignty will be eternal, like the glory of Ahmet’s pure faith.