Way of The Seekers — Page 71
71 THE ambition at lower levels of the nation. How beautifully has the Promised Messiah (on him be peace) put this point in the following verse: O Ahmad my beloved; I swear by the beauty of thy countenance, that we have stepped forward only because you are ahead of us. In other words, the spiritual elevation and progress of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (on whom be peace) alone paved the way for our progress. Hence lack of ambition is a vice in the common man, more so in the leaders of men. 11. Sycophancy: A wheedling, fawning attempt to flatter. The servants of the rich suffer from this vice most. 12. Ungratefulness: To have scant regard for kindness shown by others. 13. Lack of steadfastness: Lack of perseverance; to start doing a task and leaving it unfinished. 14. Laziness: When a person is indolent and ceases to function. 15. Negligence. 16. Disbelief. 17. Lack of courage to affirm the truth. 18. Over-delicacy: To be too fastidious and finicky, out of place or to an extent that inhibits the power to act. 19. Ignorance: Not to try to learn and acquire knowledge. 20. Avarice. 21. Ostentation: Doing things to show off. 22. Ill-will. 23. To be easily discouraged: This is a peculiar vice of the rich. The slightest difficulty would make them lose heart and give up.