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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_Discipline_of_the_Soul_Character_Sick, page : 18
was ever the desire of religious people to discover their faults through being told
of them by others; however, things have come to such a state with us that the
most hateful of all people are those who counsel us and draw our attention to our
defects.
Thirdly, the way is to know the faults of one‟s soul by listening to the statements
of one‟s enemies, for a hostile eye brings out defects; it may happen that a man
gains more from an enemy and a foe who reminds him of his faults than from a
dissimulating friend who praises and speaks highly of him, and hides from him
his faults.
Fourthly, the way is to mingle with people, and to attribute to oneself every
blameworthy thing, which one sees in them. For „the believers are mirrors to one
another.‟ Jesus was once asked: “Who taught you?” “I was taught by no one,”
he replied. “I perceived the ignorance of the ignorant man, and avoided it.”
An Exposition on the Signs of Good Character
of them by others; however, things have come to such a state with us that the
most hateful of all people are those who counsel us and draw our attention to our
defects.
Thirdly, the way is to know the faults of one‟s soul by listening to the statements
of one‟s enemies, for a hostile eye brings out defects; it may happen that a man
gains more from an enemy and a foe who reminds him of his faults than from a
dissimulating friend who praises and speaks highly of him, and hides from him
his faults.
Fourthly, the way is to mingle with people, and to attribute to oneself every
blameworthy thing, which one sees in them. For „the believers are mirrors to one
another.‟ Jesus was once asked: “Who taught you?” “I was taught by no one,”
he replied. “I perceived the ignorance of the ignorant man, and avoided it.”
An Exposition on the Signs of Good Character