Thomson wrote: “The shepherd goes before, not merely to point out the way, but to see that it is practicable and safe....
وَبِعَصًا ،‏ يَسُوقُ خِرَافَهُ وَيُرْشِدُهَا إِلَى مَرْعَاهَا ،‏ وَيَحْمِيهَا أَيْضًا مِنْ أَعْدَائِهَا » .‏