Wealth

Poem : 511

Who good and evil scanning, ever makes the good his joy;
Such man of virtuous mood should king employ.

Explanation :
He should be employed (by a king), whose nature leads him to choose the good, after having weighed both the evil and the good in any undertaking.

Poem : 512

Who swells the revenues, spreads plenty o'er the land,
Seeks out what hinders progress, his the workman's hand.

Explanation :
Let him do (the king's) work who can enlarge the sources (of revenue), increase wealth and considerately prevent the accidents (which would destroy it).

Poem : 513

A loyal love with wisdom, clearness, mind from avarice free;
Who hath these four good gifts should ever trusted be.

Explanation :
Let the choice (of a king) fall upon him who largely possesses these four things, love, knowledge, a clear mind and freedom from covetousness.

Poem : 514

Even when tests of every kind are multiplied,
Full many a man proves otherwise, by action tried!

Explanation :
Even when (a king) has tried them in every possible way, there are many men who change, from the nature of the works (in which they may be employed).

Poem : 515

No specious fav'rite should the king's commission bear,
But he that knows, and work performs with patient care.

Explanation :
(A king's) work can only be accomplished by a man of wisdom and patient endurance; it is not of a nature to be given to one from mere personal attachment.

Poem : 516

Let king first ask, 'Who shall the deed perform?' and 'What the deed?'
Of hour befitting both assured, let every work proceed.

Explanation :
Let (a king) act, after having considered the agent (whom he is to employ), the deed (he desires to do), and the time which is suitable to it.

Poem : 517

'This man, this work shall thus work out,' let thoughtful king command;
Then leave the matter wholly in his servant's hand.

Explanation :
After having considered, "this man can accomplish this, by these means", let (the king) leave with him the discharge of that duty.

Poem : 518

As each man's special aptitude is known,
Bid each man make that special work his own.

Explanation :
Having considered what work a man is fit for, let (the king) employ him in that work.

Poem : 519

Fortune deserts the king who ill can bear,
Informal friendly ways of men his tolls who share.

Explanation :
Prosperity will leave (the king) who doubts the friendship of the man who steadily labours in the discharge of his duties.

Poem : 520

Let king search out his servants' deeds each day;
When these do right, the world goes rightly on its way.

Explanation :
Let a king daily examine the conduct of his servants; if they do not act crookedly, the world will not act crookedly.