Virtue

Poem : 311

Though ill to neighbour wrought should glorious pride of wealth secure,
No ill to do is fixed decree of men in spirit pure.

Explanation :
It is the determination of the spotless not to cause sorrow to others, although they could (by so causing) obtain the wealth which confers greatness.

Poem : 312

Though malice work its worst, planning no ill return, to endure,
And work no ill, is fixed decree of men in spirit pure.

Explanation :
It is the determination of the spotless not to do evil, even in return, to those who have cherished enmity and done them evil.

Poem : 313

Though unprovoked thy soul malicious foes should sting,
Retaliation wrought inevitable woes will bring.

Explanation :
In an ascetic inflict suffering even on those who hate him, when he has not done them any evil, it will afterwards give him irretrievable sorrow.

Poem : 314

To punish wrong, with kindly benefits the doers ply;
Thus shame their souls; but pass the ill unheeded by.

Explanation :
The (proper) punishment to those who have done evil (to you), is to put them to shame by showing them kindness, in return and to forget both the evil and the good done on both sides.

Poem : 315

From wisdom's vaunted lore what doth the learner gain,
If as his own he guard not others' souls from pain?

Explanation :
What benefit has he derived from his knowledge, who does not endeavour to keep off pain from another as much as from himself ?

Poem : 316

What his own soul has felt as bitter pain,
From making others feel should man abstain.

Explanation :
Let not a man consent to do those things to another which, he knows, will cause sorrow.

Poem : 317

To work no wilful woe, in any wise, through all the days,
To any living soul, is virtue's highest praise.

Explanation :
It is the chief of all virtues not knowingly to do any person evil, even in the lowest degree, and at any time.

Poem : 318

Whose soul has felt the bitter smart of wrong, how can
He wrongs inflict on ever-living soul of man?

Explanation :
Why does a man inflict upon other creatures those sufferings, which he has found by experience are sufferings to himself ?

Poem : 319

If, ere the noontide, you to others evil do,
Before the eventide will evil visit you.

Explanation :
If a man inflict sorrow upon others in the morning, it will come upon him unsought in the very evening.

Poem : 320

O'er every evil-doer evil broodeth still;
He evil shuns who freedom seeks from ill.

Explanation :
Sorrow will come upon those who cause pain to others; therfore those, who desire to be free from sorrow, give no pain to others.