---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is axiomatic that the attempt to…"
description: "\"“It is axiomatic that the attempt to become a Sufi through a desire for personal power as normally understood will not succeed.”\" — Idries Shah"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afd/idries-shah-450_concealment_it-is-axiomatic-that-the-attempt-to-beco_160632.jpg"
---

#  It is axiomatic that the attempt to become a Sufi through…

![“It is axiomatic that the attempt to become a Sufi through a desire for personal power as normally understood will not succeed.” quote by Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afd/idries-shah-450_concealment_it-is-axiomatic-that-the-attempt-to-beco_160632.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afd/idries-shah-450_concealment_it-is-axiomatic-that-the-attempt-to-beco_160632.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afd/idries-shah-450_concealment_it-is-axiomatic-that-the-attempt-to-beco_160632.jpg)

> ““It is axiomatic that the attempt to become a Sufi through a desire for personal power as normally understood will not succeed.””

[Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Seeking Sufi status through personal ambition contradicts the humble, selfless path of true mysticism.

**In simple terms:** Power‑driven attempts to become a Sufi fail.

Key Takeaway

Pursue humility, not power.

Themes

spirituality humility ego Sufism

Mood

thoughtful serene

Type

philosophical advice

When to use this quote

- religious practice
- personal development
- leadership training

Key Concepts

self‑transcendence inner work authenticity

Questions to Reflect On

- Why does desire for power hinder spiritual paths?
- How can you cultivate humility in practice?

A Different Perspective

True spiritual growth resists ego‑driven motives.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Concealment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concealment/) [Greed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greed/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Personal power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal-power/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Sincerity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sincerity/) [Sufi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufi/) [Sufis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufis/) [Sufism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufism/)

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> [“You may be able to get the bone down your throat But if it reaches your stomach it will tear your navel. (Gulistan)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/you-may-be-able-to-get-the-bone-down-your-throat-but-if-it-reaches/)

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> [It is the message, not the man, which is important to the Sufis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/it-is-the-message-not-the-man-which-is-important-to-the-sufis/)

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> [“Sufis are those who have expunged from their minds the human tendencies of envy and enmity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/sufis-are-those-who-have-expunged-from-their-minds-the-human/)

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[Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/)

## More by Idries Shah

> [“To be a Sufi is to detach from fixed ideas and from preconceptions; and not to try to avoid what is your lot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/to-be-a-sufi-is-to-detach-from-fixed-ideas-and-from-preconceptions/)

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