The Meaning Of Self-Denial: The Herdsman And The Monk

One of the primary virtues that Ibn Zafar believes a good leader should possess is the virtue of self-denial.  In Arabic this word is زهد, or “renunciation” of worldly things.  What he means by this is that no leader–or any other person, for that matter–can ever become truly great until he learns how to subordinate his desires in the face of higher purposes.

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