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How Knowledge Stays

Word 31 · Four Causes and Four Vices

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.

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Explanation

Word 31 · Four Causes and Four Vices

Main idea

Abai names four means of remembering what one hears, and the harmful states of mind that destroy reason and talent.

In plain words

  • First, “acquire spiritual firmness and determination”.
  • Second, heed wise counsels “attentively and with an open heart”.
  • Third, ponder the words and repeat them so as to imprint them in memory.
  • Fourth, avoid harmful states of mind and resist them even when tempted.
  • These states are “careless sloth, indifference, senseless amusement, the inclination to morose reflection and destructive passion”.

Difficult words

Sloth
laziness.
Morose
gloomy.
Imprint
to fix firmly.

Something to reflect on

What do you do to remember a good thought?

An editorial note, not Abai’s words. Prepared with the help of AI.

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