Mahomet himself, after all that can be said about him, was not a sensual man. We shall err widely if we consider this man as a common voluptuary, intent mainly on base enjoyments, - nay on enjoyments of any kind. His household was of the frugalest; his common diet barley-bread and water: sometimes for months there was not a fire once lighted on his hearth. They record with just pride that he would mend his own shoes, patch his own cloak. A poor, hard-toiling, ill-provided man; careless of what vulgar men toil for
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Mahomet lived a frugal and hard-working life, rejecting sensual indulgence and vanity.
- In plain terms
- He was not a pleasure seeker but a poor toil man who mended his own clothes and ate simply.
- What can you take from it?
- True leadership involves hard work and simplicity rather than luxury.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is simplicity essential for leadership?
- What does hard toil show?
Another view
Leadership does not always require such extreme personal austerity.
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