Note: The wisdom in this cycle sometimes teaches us how we should act, and sometimes, through specific life events and human weaknesses, shows us how we should not act. Both are instructive for those who want to learn a lesson. Since some sayings may be misunderstood as negative judgments about certain individuals, names have been replaced in such cases. The goal is not to judge people, but to preserve the wisdom behind their words and life experiences.

This saying is related to a newer generation of Labunishta inhabitants and the time when, with the introduction of the multiparty system, elections and election campaigns became part of daily life in our village.

The common party interest was able to bring together people with completely different characters, life habits, and worldviews. People who walked different paths until yesterday, during elections traveled together, talked, and cooperated closely.

Thus, in the same campaign, one could find a person known for tavern life and a person who regularly performed his five daily prayers.

We usually expect wise words from educated and experienced people. But life shows that wisdom sometimes comes from those from whom we least expect it. A person may not have always walked the straightest path himself, but in life he met experienced people, heard valuable words, and knew how to remember and pass them on. Therefore, sometimes it is important not only to look at who speaks, but also at what is being said. In such an election campaign, Ahmed and Mehmed became close collaborators. Ahmed was a man with a different life path, while Mehmed was known as a scholarly and devout man.

One day, while going together to election meetings, Ahmed said to him: — Friend, I see how passionate you are about these elections and how much you want to succeed. I know you as a learned and devout man and believe that you sincerely want to help our Labunishta and our people through this. But I want to pass on to you a saying I once heard from an experienced and wise friend. It’s good to keep it in mind before you give yourself too much to politics.

Then he added: — The tavern eats money, but politics eats people. His friend pondered this unusual wisdom for a moment, then asked: — What do you mean by that? How can politics “eat” people? Ahmed made a short pause, as if gathering his thoughts, then said: — Don’t we see people who, before entering politics, were respected, valued, and esteemed in their profession and environment? They were respected by people with different beliefs, greeted by nearly everyone, and no one looked at them through party affiliation.

— But as they go deeper into politics, something begins to change. Around them, those from their party remain more often, while some of the others gradually distance themselves. Some who yesterday greeted them sincerely, today know even to turn their heads away. Their word, their action, sometimes even their good intention, are no longer seen just as what they are but through political and party diopters.

— Over time the circle that was once broad begins to narrow. The person may gain political like-minded people, but loses some of those who respected him regardless of politics. His formerly unquestioned reputation slowly acquires a partisan label.

Ahmed fell silent again, then added: — So, friend, that’s what I mean when I say the tavern eats money, but politics eats people. The tavern can empty your pocket, but politics, if you don’t know how to keep measure, can diminish your authority and slowly empty the circle around you.

The lesson The essence of this wisdom is not that politics itself is something bad. On the contrary, society needs honest, capable, and well-intentioned people to engage in public affairs.

But politics becomes dangerous when party affiliation becomes more important than truth, principles, friendship, and human relationships. Parties change, elections pass, posts end. Therefore, it is good for a person to engage in politics for the good of the people, but never to lose people because of politics and office.

✍️ Jakub Kazimoski From the cycle "Wisdoms of the old Labunishta people"