The old residents of Labunishta did not easily or hastily judge someone they did not know well, nor did they form their opinion about others based on others' words and retellings. They knew that every story told is not the complete truth and that a person is best known through personal relationship and direct experience. One such example of wisdom and restraint is told about an old and wise Labunishta resident.

More than thirty years ago, while I served as an imam in my native Labunishta, among the most regular and wisest community members was an older man whom we all called Hajo Avdiraman.

From his walk, posture, and behavior, it could be observed that he was a man with rich life experience, from whom many wise and useful pieces of advice could be heard. Many sayings and lessons remain from him that are still worth remembering and retelling today.

On this occasion, I want to note one of his short but very deep wisdoms, which can be especially useful to us today — at a time when unchecked information, rumors, and disinformation spread at incredible speed.

When someone asked Hajo Avdiraman what he thought about a certain person — what kind of person he was, whether good or bad — he never rushed to judge.

He would answer briefly: “I haven’t worked with him.”

How much wisdom is contained in this simple sentence! With it, he seemed to say that we should not judge a person based on what others say about them, but according to our own experience, personal encounter, and direct relationship with them.

Someone might tell us a particular person is bad, but perhaps they only had a misunderstanding, personal conflict, jealousy, or injured interest. In that case, their opinion is not a complete picture of the person but a reflection of their damaged relationship.

On the other hand, someone might tell us a particular person is good, but that person may have just skillfully presented themselves before them, while they show their true face in other circumstances.

A person is best known through working together, traveling, trading, facing difficulties, sharing responsibilities, and when interests clash.

Then their character, honesty, patience, loyalty to their word, and attitude towards others are revealed.

Therefore, we should not let others’ sympathies become our sympathies, nor others’ hatreds become our hatreds.

We should not form opinions about people based on hearsay but on truth, verified knowledge, and our own experience.

And when we do not have enough knowledge about someone, the most honest and fair thing is to repeat the wise response of Hajo Avdiraman: “I haven’t worked with him.”

Sometimes refraining from judgment is greater wisdom than the longest speech.

✍️ Jakub Kazimoski From the series “Wisdoms of the Old Labunishta Residents”