Virtue

Poem : 221

Call that a gift to needy men thou dost dispense,
All else is void of good, seeking for recompense.

Explanation :
To give to the destitute is true charity. All other gifts have the nature of (what is done for) a measured return.

Poem : 222

Though men declare it heavenward path, yet to receive is ill;
Though upper heaven were not, to give is virtue still.

Explanation :
To beg is evil, even though it were said that it is a good path (to heaven). To give is good, even though it were said that those who do so cannot obtain heaven.

Poem : 223

'I've nought' is ne'er the high-born man's reply;
He gives to those who raise themselves that cry.

Explanation :
(Even in a low state) not to adopt the mean expedient of saying "I have nothing," but to give, is the characteristic of the mad of noble birth.

Poem : 224

The suppliants' cry for aid yields scant delight,
Until you see his face with grateful gladness bright.

Explanation :
To see men begging from us in disagreeable, until we see their pleasant countenance.

Poem : 225

'Mid devotees they're great who hunger's pangs sustain,
Who hunger's pangs relieve a higher merit gain.

Explanation :
The power of those who perform penance is the power of enduring hunger. It is inferior to the power of those who remove the hunger (of others).

Poem : 226

Let man relieve the wasting hunger men endure;
For treasure gained thus finds he treasure-house secure.

Explanation :
The removal of the killing hunger of the poor is the place for one to lay up his wealth.

Poem : 227

Whose soul delights with hungry men to share his meal,
The hand of hunger's sickness sore shall never feel.

Explanation :
The fiery disease of hunger shall never touch him who habitually distributes his food to others.

Poem : 228

Delight of glad'ning human hearts with gifts do they not know.
Men of unpitying eye, who hoard their wealth and lose it so?

Explanation :
Do the hard-eyed who lay up and lose their possessions not know the happiness which springs from the pleasure of giving ?

Poem : 229

They keep their garners full, for self alone the board they spread;-
'Tis greater pain, be sure, than begging daily bread!

Explanation :
Solitary and unshared eating for the sake of filling up one's own riches is certainly much more unpleasant than begging.

Poem : 230

'Tis bitter pain to die, 'Tis worse to live.
For him who nothing finds to give!

Explanation :
Nothing is more unpleasant than death: yet even that is pleasant where charity cannot be exercised.