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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_Discipline_of_the_Soul_Character_Sick, page : 12
Of course, temperaments vary; some accept this thing rapidly, while others do
not. There are two reasons for this disparity.
Firstly, there is the power of the instinct (ghariza), which lies at the root of one‟s
temperament, together with the length of time for, which it has been present; the
capacities for desire, anger and pride are all present in the human creature;
however the most difficult to deal with and the least susceptible to change is that
of desire, which is the oldest capacity in man. For it is the first thing to be created
in a child, to be followed, perhaps after seven years, by anger, and finally, the
power of discretion. The second reason is that a trait of character may be
reinforced as a result of acting frequently in accordance with it and obeying it,
and considering it to be fine and satisfactory.
The other illusory notion, which is adduced is the statement that anger, desire,
worldliness and the other traits of this kind cannot be torn from the human
creature for as long as he lives. This is also an error, into, which a faction has
not. There are two reasons for this disparity.
Firstly, there is the power of the instinct (ghariza), which lies at the root of one‟s
temperament, together with the length of time for, which it has been present; the
capacities for desire, anger and pride are all present in the human creature;
however the most difficult to deal with and the least susceptible to change is that
of desire, which is the oldest capacity in man. For it is the first thing to be created
in a child, to be followed, perhaps after seven years, by anger, and finally, the
power of discretion. The second reason is that a trait of character may be
reinforced as a result of acting frequently in accordance with it and obeying it,
and considering it to be fine and satisfactory.
The other illusory notion, which is adduced is the statement that anger, desire,
worldliness and the other traits of this kind cannot be torn from the human
creature for as long as he lives. This is also an error, into, which a faction has