Virtue

Poem : 61

Of all that men acquire, we know not any greater gain,
Than that which by the birth of learned children men obtain.

Explanation :
Among all the benefits that may be acquired, we know no greater benefit than the acquisition of intelligent children.

Poem : 62

Who children gain, that none reproach, of virtuous worth,
No evils touch them, through the sev'n-fold maze of birth.

Explanation :
The evils of the seven births shall not touch those who abtain children of a good disposition, free from vice.

Poem : 63

'Man's children are his fortune,' say the wise;
From each one's deeds his varied fortunes rise.

Explanation :
Men will call their sons their wealth, because it flows to them through the deeds which they (sons) perform on their behalf.

Poem : 64

Than God's ambrosia sweeter far the food before men laid,
In which the little hands of children of their own have play'd.

Explanation :
The rice in which the little hand of their children has dabbled will be far sweeter (to the parent) than ambrosia.

Poem : 65

To patent sweet the touch of children dear;
Their voice is sweetest music to his ear.

Explanation :
The touch of children gives pleasure to the body, and the hearing of their words, pleasure to the ear.

Poem : 66

'The pipe is sweet,' 'the lute is sweet,' by them't will be averred,
Who music of their infants' lisping lips have never heard.

Explanation :
"The pipe is sweet, the lute is sweet," say those who have not heard the prattle of their own children.

Poem : 67

Sire greatest boon on son confers, who makes him meet,
In councils of the wise to fill the highest seat.

Explanation :
The benefit which a father should confer on his son is to give him precedence in the assembly of the learned.

Poem : 68

Their children's wisdom greater than their own confessed,
Through the wide world is sweet to every human breast.

Explanation :
That their children should possess knowledge is more pleasing to all men of this great earth than to themselves.

Poem : 69

When mother hears him named 'fulfill'd of wisdom's lore,'
Far greater joy she feels, than when her son she bore.

Explanation :
The mother who hears her son called "a wise man" will rejoice more than she did at his birth.

Poem : 70

To sire, what best requital can by grateful child be done?
To make men say, 'What merit gained the father such a son?'

Explanation :
(So to act) that it may be said "by what great penance did his father beget him," is the benefit which a son should render to his father.