Page 278 - Quranic Wisdom - New.indd

Avoiding the Useless

adopt this kind of behaviour in every aspect of his life, both in
word and in deed.
It is a fact that we are on this planet earth for a limited time.
Our lifespan being so very short, we cannot afford the luxury of
wasting time and energy; we have to be very prudent. We have
to select only such targets about which we can say with certainty
that in the end they will yield the required result. No excuse in
this regard is acceptable.
When you use your mind, use it on healthy subjects; when you
speak, say whatever is good for you and good for others; when
you are going to take a step, examine all the relative aspects. If
there is any possibility that your step will prove to be counter-
productive, then refrain from taking it.
A wise man always differentiates between a positive response
and a negative reaction, between a realistic approach and an
emotional approach. He invariably adopts a result-oriented
policy. Jumping into things without assessing the result is a habit
that only fools can afford, for fools rush in where angels fear to
tread. But a wise man cannot afford this kind of involvement.
‘Useless’ means ‘without any result’ and whatever has no
result is pointless and liable to be thrown into the litterbin. If
even animals follow the result-oriented path, then why cannot
men and women?

If an honest person indulges in useless activities, his
conscience will go against him. Before facing others, he has to
face up to his own conscience and there are very few who can
do that. Conscience, working as an internal check, is a moral
keeper for every man and woman. Conscience never fails and if
you pay heed to it, you will surely save yourself from going astray.
Follow your conscience and you will surely develop into a divine
personality.

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