Virtue

Poem : 181

Though virtuous words his lips speak not, and all his deeds are ill.
If neighbour he defame not, there's good wit hin him still.

Explanation :
Though one do not even speak of virtue and live in sin, it will be well if it be said of him "he does not backbite."

Poem : 182

Than he who virtue scorns, and evil deeds performs, more vile,
Is he that slanders friend, then meets him with false smile.

Explanation :
To smile deceitfully (in another's presence) after having reviled him to his destruction (behind his back) is a greater evil than the commission of (every other) sin and the destruction of (every) virtue.

Poem : 183

'Tis greater gain of virtuous good for man to die,
Than live to slander absent friend, and falsely praise when nigh.

Explanation :
Death rather than life will confer upon the deceitful backbiter the profit which (the treatises on) virtue point out.

Poem : 184

In presence though unkindly words you speak, say not
In absence words whose ill result exceeds your thought.

Explanation :
Though you speak without kindness before another's face speak not in his absence words which regard not the evil subsequently resulting from it.

Poem : 185

The slanderous meanness that an absent friend defames,
'This man in words owns virtue, not in heart,' proclaims.

Explanation :
The emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back.

Poem : 186

Who on his neighbours' sins delights to dwell,
The story of his sins, culled out with care, the world will tell.

Explanation :
The character of the faults of that man who publishes abroad the faults of others will be sought out and published.

Poem : 187

With friendly art who know not pleasant words to say,
Speak words that sever hearts, and drive choice friends away.

Explanation :
Those who know not to live in friendship with amusing conversation will by backbiting estrange even their relatives.

Poem : 188

Whose nature bids them faults of closest friends proclaim
What mercy will they show to other men's good name?

Explanation :
What will those not do to strangers whose nature leads them to publish abroad the faults of their intimate friends ?

Poem : 189

'Tis charity, I ween, that makes the earth sustain their load.
Who, neighbours' absence watching, tales or slander tell abroad.

Explanation :
The world through charity supports the weight of those who reproach others observing their absence.

Poem : 190

If each his own, as neighbours' faults would scan,
Could any evil hap to living man?

Explanation :
If they observed their own faults as they observe the faults of others, would any evil happen to men ?