areful
examination would establish as not even unlikely, but rather as unalloyed
superstition, and representing the investigation of useless conceits and
the chasing of absurdities. There can be no doubt that to concern oneself
with such illusions, to examine into and lengthily debate such idle
propositions, is nothing but a waste of time and a marring of the days of
one's life. Not only this, but it also prevents the individual from
undertaking the study of those arts and sciences of which society stands
in dire need. The individual should, prior to engaging in the study of any
subject, ask himself what its uses are and what fruit and result will
derive from it. If it is a useful branch of knowledge, that is, if society
will gain important benefits from it, then he should certainly pursue it
with all his heart. If not, if it consists in empty, profitless debates
and in a vain concatenation of imaginings that lead to no result except
acrimony, why devote one's life to such useless hairsplittings and
disputes.

Because this matter requires further elucidation and a thorough hearing,
so that it can be fully established that some of the subjects which today
are neglected are extremely valuable, while the nation has no need
whatever of various other, superfluous studies, the point will, God
willing, be developed in a second volume. Our hope is that a reading of
this first volume will produce fundamental changes in the thinking and the
behavior of society, for We have undertaken the work with a sincere intent
and purely for the sake of God. Although in this world individuals who are
able to distinguish between sincere intentions and false words are as rare
as the philosopher's stone, yet We fix Our hopes on the measureless
bounties of the Lord.

To resume: As for that group who maintains that in effecting these
necessary reforms we must proceed with deliberation, exercise patience and
gain the objectives one at a time, just what do they mean by this? If by
deliberation they are referring to that circumspection which the science
of government requires, their thought is timely and appropriate. It is
certain that momentous undertakings cannot be brought to a successful
conclusion in haste; that in such cases haste would only make waste.

The world of politics is like the world of man; he is seed at first, and
then passes by degrees to the condition of embryo and foetus, acquiring a
bone structure, being clothed with flesh, ta