Wealth

Poem : 1041

You ask what sharper pain than poverty is known;
Nothing pains more than poverty, save poverty alone.

Explanation :
There is nothing that afflicts (one) like poverty.

Poem : 1042

Malefactor matchless! poverty destroys
This world's and the next world's joys.

Explanation :
When cruel poverty comes on, it deprives one of both the present and future (bliss).

Poem : 1043

Importunate desire, which poverty men name,
Destroys both old descent and goodly fame.

Explanation :
Hankering poverty destroys at once the greatness of (one's) ancient descent and (the dignity of one's) speech.

Poem : 1044

From penury will spring, 'mid even those of noble race,
Oblivion that gives birth to words that bring disgrace.

Explanation :
Even in those of high birth, poverty will produce the fault of uttering mean words.

Poem : 1045

From poverty, that grievous woe,
Attendant sorrows plenteous grow.

Explanation :
The misery of poverty brings in its train many (more) miseries.

Poem : 1046

Though deepest sense, well understood, the poor man's words convey,
Their sense from memory of mankind will fade away.

Explanation :
The words of the poor are profitless, though they may be sound in thought and clear in expression.

Poem : 1047

From indigence devoid of virtue's grace,
The mother e'en that bare, estranged, will turn her face.

Explanation :
He that is reduced to absolute poverty will be regarded as a stranger even by his own mother.

Poem : 1048

And will it come today as yesterday,
The grief of want that eats my soul away?

Explanation :
Is the poverty that almost killed me yesterday, to meet me today too ?

Poem : 1049

Amid the flames sleep may men's eyelids close,
In poverty the eye knows no repose.

Explanation :
One may sleep in the midst of fire; but by no means in the midst of poverty.

Poem : 1050

Unless the destitute will utterly themselves deny,
They cause their neighbour's salt and vinegar to die.

Explanation :
The destitute poor, who do not renounce their bodies, only consume their neighbour's salt and water.