Wealth

Poem : 441

As friends the men who virtue know, and riper wisdom share,
Their worth weighed well, the king should choose with care.

Explanation :
Let (a king) ponder well its value, and secure the friendship of men of virtue and of mature knowledge.

Poem : 442

Cherish the all-accomplished men as friends,
Whose skill the present ill removes, from coming ill defends.

Explanation :
Let (a king) procure and kindly care for men who can overcome difficulties when they occur, and guard against them before they happen.

Poem : 443

To cherish men of mighty soul, and make them all their own,
Of kingly treasures rare, as rarest gift is known.

Explanation :
To cherish great men and make them his own, is the most difficult of all difficult things.

Poem : 444

To live with men of greatness that their own excels,
As cherished friends, is greatest power that with a monarch dwells.

Explanation :
So to act as to make those men, his own, who are greater than himself is of all powers the highest.

Poem : 445

The king, since counsellors are monarch's eyes,
Should counsellors select with counsel wise.

Explanation :
As a king must use his ministers as eyes (in managing his kingdom), let him well examine their character and qualifications before he engages them.

Poem : 446

The king, who knows to live with worthy men allied,
Has nought to fear from any foeman's pride.

Explanation :
There will be nothing left for enemies to do, against him who has the power of acting (so as to secure) the fellowship of worthy men.

Poem : 447

What power can work his fall, who faithful ministers
Employs, that thunder out reproaches when he errs.

Explanation :
Who are great enough to destroy him who has servants that have power to rebuke him ?

Poem : 448

The king with none to censure him, bereft of safeguards all,
Though none his ruin work, shall surely ruined fall.

Explanation :
The king, who is without the guard of men who can rebuke him, will perish, even though there be no one to destroy him.

Poem : 449

Who owns no principal, can have no gain of usury;
Who lacks support of friends, knows no stability.

Explanation :
There can be no gain to those who have no capital; and in like manner there can be no permanence to those who are without the support of adherents.

Poem : 450

Than hate of many foes incurred, works greater woe
Ten-fold, of worthy men the friendship to forego.

Explanation :
It is tenfold more injurious to abandon the friendship of the good, than to incur the hatred of the many.