Virtue

Poem : 281

Who seeks heaven's joys, from impious levity secure,
Let him from every fraud preserve his spirit pure.

Explanation :
Let him, who desires not to be despised, keep his mind from (the desire of) defrauding another of the smallest thin

Poem : 282

'Tis sin if in the mind man but thought conceive;
'By fraud I will my neighbour of his wealth bereave.'

Explanation :
Even the thought (of sin) is sin; think not then of crafiily stealing the property of another.

Poem : 283

The gain that comes by fraud, although it seems to grow
With limitless increase, to ruin swift shall go.

Explanation :
The property, which is acquired by fraud, will entirely perish, even while it seems to increase.

Poem : 284

The lust inveterate of fraudful gain,
Yields as its fruit undying pain.

Explanation :
The eager desire of defrauding others will, when it brings forth its fruit, produce undying sorrow.

Poem : 285

'Grace' is not in their thoughts, nor know they kind affection's power,
Who neighbour's goods desire, and watch for his unguarded hour.

Explanation :
The study of kindness and the exercise of benevolence is not with those who watch for another's forgetfulness, though desire of his property.

Poem : 286

They cannot walk restrained in wisdom's measured bound,
In whom inveterate lust of fraudful gain is found.

Explanation :
They cannot walk steadfastly, according to rule, who eagerly desire to defraud others.

Poem : 287

Practice of fraud's dark cunning arts they shun,
Who long for power by 'measured wisdom' won.

Explanation :
That black-knowledge which is called fraud, is not in those who desire that greatness which is called rectitude.

Poem : 288

As virtue dwells in heart that 'measured wisdom' gains;
Deceit in hearts of fraudful men established reigns.

Explanation :
Deceit dwells in the mind of those who are conversant with fraud, even as virtue in the mind s of those who are conversant with rectitude.

Poem : 289

Who have no lore save that which fraudful arts supply,
Acts of unmeasured vice committing straightway die.

Explanation :
Those, who are acquainted with nothing but fraud, will perish in the very commission of transgression.

Poem : 290

The fraudful forfeit life and being here below;
Who fraud eschew the bliss of heavenly beings know.

Explanation :
Even their body will fail the fraudulent; but even the world of the gods will not fail those who are free from fraud.