(Video Duration: 2 mins. 28 secs.)
The nation with the best standing consists of people who are unified on all public matters and respect the majority view. It hardly needs to be said that the nation's people must have received a common education of shared values in religion language and historical awareness.
If we cannot accept the criticism of those we love and who love us we may lose our friends and remain unaware of our defects.
Do not remember the promises that others have failed to keep; instead remember your own promises that you did not fulfill. Do not blame others because they are not doing good to you; instead remember the chances you missed of doing good to someone else.
One of the most important things that weakens us as a nation is that we are simple-minded toward those who deceive us while pretending to be our friends. Do not believe every promise and do not be misled by everyone who gives advice with a smile.
If people consider cheating and trickery to be prudence and intelligence their nation is suffering from something like the terminal phase of cancer. All that is seen as signs of recovery in such a nation are deceptions like the swelling of a tubercular gland being taken for healthy growth.
If the people of a nation can establish relationships as strong as those among family members their nation will develop quickly. On the other hand a nation whose people do not love and confide in each another cannot be considered a nation in the true sense of the word and its future holds no promise.
Way of The Nation
We applaud every good deed and attempt made in the name of the nation and stand behind the fortunate people who serve it. We do not retaliate against the accusations of deviation and apostasy; nor do we say "amen" to curses and anathema.
Source: Pearls of Wisdom by Fethullah Gulen
