MILLI FOLKLOR, no.126, pp.184-197, 2020 (AHCI)
There are many witnesses about the relationship between the concept of "advice" and "moral" in the history of Turkish culture. These records could also be followed through literary works written throughout history. Kutadgu Bilig (KB) an example of competent politics and advice, is the first source on this subject. Social and political morality, which forms the basis of the state understanding of the period, comes to the fore in the text. "Social morality", which means spiritual code, requires protection and glorification by the state. In this context, "political morality" is expected from the state and, in a narrow sense, the ruler, who has a responsibility towards the nation. As a result, it is frequently repeated that the top management of the state should have "intelligence" and "wisdom". These values are the characteristic feature of all persons (Kun Togdz, Ay Toldi, Ogdulmis, Odgurmis) that represent four concepts in the text (justice, fortune, wisdom, and fate). "Mind" and "wisdom" are among the basic qualities that a ruler must have: ked oglug kerek beg ongarsa isin/bilip baslasa otru idler basin (KB, 1989) "The prince requires a good mind if he is to undertake affairs and bring them to a successful end." ay edgu torulug arig beg silig/bayat birdi erdem sanga og bilig (KB, 3112). "O pure and gentle prince! God gave you wisdom and virtue and favored you with all good things." The same qualifications are sought in the senior officials of the state. The couplets about mind (ukus) and wisdom (bilig) are concrete examples that the state tradition of Karakhanid was merit-based 950 years ago. The value given to mind, knowledge, and wisdom is also understood from the vizier Ay Toldi and the son of the vizier Ogdulmis, whom the ruler Kun Togdi chose as consultants. Ay Toldi, on the one hand, represents fortune; on the other hand, it is depicted as an intelligent (tetig), wise (ukuslug), knowledgeable (biliglig), brave (yigit), soft-tempered (kilinci amul), pleasant spoken (sozi yuwak) personality: bir ay toldi athg er erdi tetig/esitti bu cavig itindi itig (KB, 462) "There was a man of wit named Full Moon/Ay Toldi who, hearing of the king's fame, resolved to serve him." yigit erdi oglan Wino amul/ukushug biliglig hem oglug kongul (KB, 463) "He was a young man, of quiet demeanor, intelligent, and wise of heart." Ogdulmis, is the true representative of the concept of "intellect". The value given to mind, knowledge, and wisdom is also understood from the vizier Ay Toldi and the son of the vizier Ogdulmis, whom the ruler Kun Togdi chose as consultants. Ay Toldi, on the one hand, represents fortune; on the other hand, it is depicted as an intelligent (tetig), wise (ukuslug), knowledgeable (biliglig), brave (yigit), soft-tempered (kilinci amul), pleasant spoken (sozi yuwak) personality: bir ay toldi athg er erdi tetig/esitti bu cavig itindi itig (KB, 462) "There was a man of wit named Full Moon/Ay Toldi who, hearing of the king's fame, resolved to serve him." yigit erdi oglan Wino amul/ukushug biliglig hem oglug kongul (KB, 463) "He was a young man, of quiet demeanor, intelligent, and wise of heart." Ogdulmis, is the true representative of the concept of "intellect". The ruler's working with a smart and knowledgeable advisor reveals the state tradition of the time: ne edgu turur bu kisike oge/ogi bolsa otru atagu oge (KB, 1995) "What a fine thing a good mind is. The man with a good mind (og) is rightly called 'Counselor' (oge)."