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Once upon a time, a traveler rents a donkey to go from Athens to Megara. The owner of the donkey joins them on foot.
Halfway through the journey, a scorching heat sets in and they want to rest; however, there is neither a tree nor any shade around. The traveler takes shelter in the donkey’s shadow to cool off.
Seeing this, the donkey’s owner objects: “I rented you the donkey, not its shadow!” he says.
The traveler responds, “If I rented the donkey, then I rented everything that belongs to it—therefore its shadow as well!”
The two get into such a fierce argument over who owns the shadow that the matter eventually goes to court.
While telling this story to the public, Demosthenes stops right at the point of the argument and steps down from the podium.
The crowd shouts curiously: “What happened next? Tell us!”
Upon this, Demosthenes returns and delivers this unforgettable lesson: “When I speak about matters vital to you—your state affairs, your freedom, and your future—you do not listen to me; yet you listen wide-eyed to this absurd story about a donkey’s shadow. This is your condition!”
One of the greatest orators of Ancient Greece, Demosthenes lived in the 4th century BC, approximately 2,350 years ago.
From that day to this, nothing has changed. Society is still occupied with shallow and artificial issues.
Perhaps it is time to heed Keçecizâde Izzet Molla:
“To strive to repair this worn-out world is exhaustion itself.”
#EseginGolgesi
Vaktin birinde bir yolcu, Atina'dan Megara'ya gitmek için bir eşek kiralar. Eşeğin sahibi de yaya olarak onlara katılır.
— Sırrı Er (@konusmasanati) May 4, 2026
Yolun yarısında kavurucu bir sıcak bastırınca dinlenmek isterler; ancak etrafta ne bir ağaç ne de bir gölge vardır. Yolcu, serinlemek için eşeğin gölgesine… pic.twitter.com/6YQOQvIpYc
Kaynak: Sırrı Er @konusmasanati