Wealth

Poem : 1061

Ten million-fold 'tis greater gain, asking no alms to live,
Even from those, like eyes in worth, who nought concealing gladly give.

Explanation :
Not to beg (at all) even from those excellent persons who cheerfully give without refusing, will do immense good.

Poem : 1062

If he that shaped the world desires that men should begging go,
Through life's long course, let him a wanderer be and perish so.

Explanation :
If the Creator of the world has decreed even begging as a means of livelihood, may he too go abegging and perish.

Poem : 1063

Nothing is harder than the hardness that will say,
'The plague of penury by asking alms we'll drive away.'

Explanation :
There is no greater folly than the boldness with which one seeks to remedy the evils of poverty by begging (rather than by working).

Poem : 1064

Who ne'er consent to beg in utmost need, their worth
Has excellence of greatness that transcends the earth.

Explanation :
Even the whole world cannot sufficiently praise the dignity that would not beg even in the midst of destitution.

Poem : 1065

Nothing is sweeter than to taste the toil-won cheer,
Though mess of pottage as tasteless as the water clear.

Explanation :
Even thin gruel is ambrosia to him who has obtained it by labour.

Poem : 1066

E'en if a draught of water for a cow you ask,
Nought's so distasteful to the tongue as beggar's task.

Explanation :
There is nothing more disgraceful to one's tongue than to use it in begging water even for a cow.

Poem : 1067

One thing I beg of beggars all, 'If beg ye may,
Of those who hide their wealth, beg not, I pray.'

Explanation :
I beseech all beggars and say, "If you need to beg, never beg of those who give unwillingly."

Poem : 1068

The fragile bark of beggary
Wrecked on denial's rock will lie.

Explanation :
The unsafe raft of begging will split when it strikes on the rock of refusal.

Poem : 1069

The heart will melt away at thought of beggary,
With thought of stern repulse 'twill perish utterly.

Explanation :
To think of (the evil of) begging is enough to melt one's heart; but to think of refusal is enough to break it.

Poem : 1070

E'en as he asks, the shamefaced asker dies;
Where shall his spirit hide who help denies?

Explanation :
Saying "No" to a beggar takes away his life. (but as that very word will kill the refuser) where then would the latter's life hide itself ?