Sheikh Sadi’s timeless story, "No Justice," remains profoundly relevant in today’s society. It tells the tale of moral decay and the consequences of forsaking conscience:
Once, a mighty king fell gravely ill. His royal physicians declared that the only cure was medicine derived from the heart of a healthy young man. Desperate to save the king, the kingdom embarked on a relentless search and eventually found a suitable youth. Shockingly, his father sold him for a significant sum of money.
In court, the judge ruled, “It is not unjust to take this young man’s life because his insignificant existence can save the invaluable life of our king.” Following this verdict, the executioner prepared to claim the youth’s life.
Oddly enough, the youth appeared calm, smiling faintly even as death loomed. Puzzled, the king asked, “Why do you smile when your life is about to end?”
The youth replied with a bittersweet smile, “How can I not laugh? The father whose duty was to protect me sold me for wealth. The judge, whose role is to uphold justice, betrayed fairness and supported the king. And you, my king, entrusted with safeguarding the poor and oppressed, value your life above mine, forgetting that my life is just as precious as yours. Witnessing such hypocrisy, how can I not laugh?”
The king, deeply moved and ashamed, set the young man free. Miraculously, the king recovered from his illness soon after.
History is rich with stories like this, written as lessons to guide humanity on the path of morality and justice. Yet, tragically, we often fail to heed these lessons. As the saying goes, “When the heart is blinded, it doesn’t matter if the eyes can see.” Is this not the core of our moral failures?
Today, we see incidents that evoke the same bitter smile as the young man’s. Students disrespect their teachers, newborns are abandoned in dumpsters, fathers harm their sons, and siblings kill one another. From personal betrayals to systemic injustices, a lack of conscience permeates our actions.
This is why the timeless wisdom prevails: “First engage your emotions and conscience, then speak or act.”
Laws may govern a society, but a truly thriving community is built on the conscience of its people. As Martin Luther King Jr. rightly said, “There comes a time when one must take a stand that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but because conscience tells one it is right.”
In every aspect of life—personal, social, or political—we must never “mortgage” our conscience. When conscience is compromised, society spirals into chaos. Conscience is humanity’s greatest court. In moments of doubt, we must pause and listen to the voice within. Our conscience is a compass, a divine echo guiding us toward righteousness. All we need is the courage to respond.
