Lessons 7–8 · 2 lessons · S. Olim, S. Ahmedov, R. Qo‘chqorov. Literature, Grade 8: textbook-collection, Parts 1 and 2. G‘afur G‘ulom publishing-printing creative house, Tashkent, 2014 (revised third edition)
8
Excerpt from “Qutadg‘u bilig”
Textbook: Part 1, pp. 46–70
GoalExplain in your own words the ideas of chapter 31 of “Qutadg‘u bilig”: Elig’s question, O‘gdulmish’s answer, the ruler’s virtues and vices.
The excerpt in the textbook is chapter 31 of the dastan and is written as question and answer. Elig, that is Kuntug‘di, asks the vizier’s son O‘gdulmish what a person fit to rule should be like: he should govern rich and poor, learned and unlearned alike, his people should live well and his name should spread through the world. O‘gdulmish answers that a ruler should be wise, learned, brave, generous, truthful, patient, vigilant and just. For a state to be firm it needs a strong army, wealth to support it, a prosperous people to create the wealth, and just policy to keep the people prosperous. A ruler must avoid haste, greed, ignorance, a bad character and lying. According to the textbook’s comment, “ruler” here is a general symbol: the demands apply to every person.
Worked examples
Example: O‘gdulmish gives an image: if a lion leads dogs, the dogs become lion-strong; if a dog leads lions, the lions become like dogs. That is, a people will be like its leader.
Example: the vice of haste concerns today’s life too: a pupil who hurries into an exam unprepared makes mistakes. The idea in the excerpt – start things unhurriedly, but be quick to do good – is close to this.
Class activity
Open two columns in your notebook and write five virtues and five vices of the ruler in your own words; then apply two of them to yourself.
Practice
1
What does Elig ask O‘gdulmish?
What a person fit to rule should be like.
2
Which four things does a state need to be firm?
A strong army, wealth, a prosperous people and just policy.
3
Which five vices does O‘gdulmish call dangerous for a ruler?
Haste, greed, ignorance, a bad character and lying.
4
Why can these demands be understood as meant for everyone, not just kings?
Because “ruler” is a symbol: virtues like intellect, justice and truthfulness are needed for every person’s perfection.