It is not enough that there is a collection of people with the common aim of working in unison towards an objective... Aspiration and desire only are not enough.
Idries ShahOne of the tragedies of modern times is that people have come to believe that something said by someone in the past, perhaps for illustrative or provocation purposes, actually represents that person's beliefs at the time.
Idries ShahEffort makes some great men famous. Even greater effort enables other great men to remain unknown.
Idries ShahWhen people have a hard task to do - one which stretches them - they become less concerned with trivial matters.
Idries ShahIf you are uninterested in what I say, there's an end to it. If you like what I say, please try to understand which previous influences have made you like it. If you like some of the things I say, and dislike others, you could try to understand why. If you dislike all I say, why not try to find out what formed your attitude?
Idries ShahLike the bat, the Sufi is asleep to 'things of the day' - the familiar struggle for existence which the ordinary man finds all-important - and vigilant while others are asleep. In other words, he keeps awake the spiritual attention dormant in others. That 'mankind sleeps in a nightmare of unfulfillment' is a commonplace of Sufi literature
Idries Shah