Abay’s book “Nasihatlar” (Words of Advice)
“Nasihatlar” consists of 44 “words” discussing reason, knowledge, fairness, good manners, communication culture and friendship of peoples. The seventh word says a person is born with two natural needs: one — food, drink and sleep (the body’s need), the other — the wish to see and know, i.e. curiosity. A person who does not strive to know does not differ from an animal. The seventeenth word is an allegory: Zeal (G‘ayrat), Reason (Aql) and Heart (Yurak) each argue for their superiority, while the judge, Knowledge (Ilm), names the strength and flaw of each and calls them to unite under the heart’s leadership. The thirty-first word gives four conditions for not forgetting what you hear: a sharp mind, understanding with sincere attention, repeating it inwardly, and avoiding distractions. The thirty-second word is devoted to the conditions of learning: learn in order to apply, and with love; seek truth, not victory, in debate; be steadfast; think and preserve what you learn; beware of carelessness; protect good character. The thirty-seventh word consists of twenty short maxims about work, friendship, hope and human worth. (Here they are summarised in our own words.)
“Judge Knowledge”: four pupils play Zeal, Reason, Heart and Knowledge (in their own words); the class discusses Knowledge’s verdict.