Virtue

Poem : 151

As earth bears up the men who delve into her breast,
To bear with scornful men of virtues is the best.

Explanation :
To bear with those who revile us, just as the earth bears up those who dig it, is the first of virtues.

Poem : 152

Forgiving trespasses is good always;
Forgetting them hath even higher praise;

Explanation :
Bear with reproach even when you can retaliate; but to forget it will be still better than that.

Poem : 153

The sorest poverty is bidding guest unfed depart;
The mightiest might to bear with men of foolish heart.

Explanation :
To neglect hospitality is poverty of poverty. To bear with the ignorant is might of might.

Poem : 154

Seek'st thou honour never tarnished to retain;
So must thou patience, guarding evermore, maintain.

Explanation :
If you desire that greatness should never leave, you preserve in your conduct the exercise of patience.

Poem : 155

Who wreak their wrath as worthless are despised;
Who patiently forbear as gold are prized.

Explanation :
(The wise) will not at all esteem the resentful. They will esteem the patient just as the gold which they lay up with care.

Poem : 156

Who wreak their wrath have pleasure for a day;
Who bear have praise till earth shall pass away.

Explanation :
The pleasure of the resentful continues for a day. The praise of the patient will continue until (the final destruction of) the world.

Poem : 157

Though others work thee ill, thus shalt thou blessing reap;
Grieve for their sin, thyself from vicious action keep!

Explanation :
Though others inflict injuries on you, yet compassionating the evil (that will come upon them) it will be well not to do them anything contrary to virtue.

Poem : 158

With overweening pride when men with injuries assail,
By thine own righteous dealing shalt thou mightily prevail.

Explanation :
Let a man by patience overcome those who through pride commit excesses.

Poem : 159

They who transgressors' evil words endure
With patience, are as stern ascetics pure.

Explanation :
Those who bear with the uncourteous speech of the insolent are as pure as the ascetics.

Poem : 160

Though 'great' we deem the men that fast and suffer pain,
Who others' bitter words endure, the foremost place obtain.

Explanation :
Those who endure abstinence from food are great, next to those who endure the uncourteous speech of others.