Virtue

Poem : 51

As doth the house beseem, she shows her wifely dignity;
As doth her husband's wealth befit, she spends: help - meet is she.

Explanation :
She who has the excellence of home virtues, and can expend within the means of her husband, is a help in the domestic state.

Poem : 52

If household excellence be wanting in the wife,
Howe'er with splendour lived, all worthless is the life.

Explanation :
If the wife be devoid of domestic excellence, whatever (other) greatness be possessed, the conjugal state, is nothing.

Poem : 53

There is no lack within the house, where wife in worth excels,
There is no luck within the house, where wife dishonoured dwells.

Explanation :
If his wife be eminent (in virtue), what does (that man) not possess ? If she be without excellence, what does (he) possess ?

Poem : 54

If woman might of chastity retain,
What choicer treasure doth the world contain?

Explanation :
What is more excellent than a wife, if she possess the stability of chastity ?

Poem : 55

No God adoring, low she bends before her lord;
Then rising, serves: the rain falls instant at her word!

Explanation :
If she, who does not worship God, but who rising worships her husband, say, "let it rain," it will rain.

Poem : 56

Who guards herself, for husband's comfort cares, her household's fame,
In perfect wise with sleepless soul preserves, -give her a woman's name.

Explanation :
She is a wife who unweariedly guards herself, takes care of her husband, and preserves an unsullied fame.

Poem : 57

Of what avail is watch and ward?
Honour's woman's safest guard.

Explanation :
What avails the guard of a prison ? The chief guard of a woman is her chastity.

Poem : 58

If wife be wholly true to him who gained her as his bride,
Great glory gains she in the world where gods bliss abide.

Explanation :
If women shew reverence to their husbands, they will obtain great excellence in the world where the gods flourish.

Poem : 59

Who have not spouses that in virtue's praise delight,
They lion-like can never walk in scorner's sight.

Explanation :
The man whose wife seeks not the praise (of chastity) cannot walk with lion-like stately step, before those who revile them.

Poem : 60

The house's 'blessing', men pronounce the house-wife excellent;
The gain of blessed children is its goodly ornament.

Explanation :
The excellence of a wife is the good of her husband; and good children are the jewels of that goodness.