Once in Delhi, when Nawab Muhammad Khan Jan-Fishan was returning from a walk, his attention was attracted by a large crowd of people, apparently involved in an altercation.
He asked a man standing aside:
- What happened there?
The man replied:
“Oh Tallest One, one of your disciples is dissatisfied with the behavior of the people in this quarter.
Jan-Fishan entered the crowd and said to his follower:
- Explain yourself.
He said:
“These people were hostile.
People exclaimed:
- This is not true! On the contrary, for your sake we honored him!
- How? - Nawab asked the follower.
- They said: “Long live the Great Scientist!” I explained to them that it is the ignorance of scientists that is often the cause of human confusion and recklessness.
Jan-Fishan Khan said:
“It is the conceit of scientists that is largely responsible for the pitiful situation of man. And it was your conceit, manifested in the statement that you are not a scientist, but someone else, that was the cause of this turmoil. Not being a scientist is an achievement that involves detachment from pettiness. Scientists, being just unmodified people, loaded to the brim with thoughts and books, are rarely wise.
“These people were trying to honor you.” If some people think dirt is gold, and if it is their dirt, respect it. You are not their teacher.
“Don’t you realize that by behaving in such a sensitive and amateur manner, you are acting exactly like a scientist, and therefore deserve that name, even if it is an epithet?”
- Take care of yourself, my child. Too many deviations from the Path of Highest Achievement and you can become a scientist.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru