Wealth

Poem : 821

Anvil where thou shalt smitten be, when men occasion find,
Is friendship's form without consenting mind.

Explanation :
The friendship of those who behave like friends without inward affection is a weapon that may be thrown when a favourable opportunity presents itself.

Poem : 822

Friendship of those who seem our kin, but are not really kind.
Will change from hour to hour like woman's mind.

Explanation :
The friendship of those who seem to be friends while they are not, will change like the love of women.

Poem : 823

To heartfelt goodness men ignoble hardly may attain,
Although abundant stores of goodly lore they gain.

Explanation :
Though (one's) enemies may have mastered many good books, it will be impossible for them to become truly loving at heart.

Poem : 824

'Tis fitting you should dread dissemblers' guile,
Whose hearts are bitter while their faces smile.

Explanation :
One should fear the deceitful who smile sweetly with their face but never love with their heart.

Poem : 825

When minds are not in unison, 'its never; just,
In any words men speak to put your trust.

Explanation :
In nothing whatever is it proper to rely on the words of those who do not love with their heart.

Poem : 826

Though many goodly words they speak in friendly tone,
The words of foes will speedily be known.

Explanation :
Though (one's) foes may utter good things as though they were friends, once will at once understand (their evil, import).

Poem : 827

To pliant speech from hostile lips give thou no ear;
'Tis pliant bow that show the deadly peril near!

Explanation :
Since the bending of the bow bespeaks evil, one should not accept (as good) the humiliating speeches of one's foes.

Poem : 828

In hands that worship weapon ten hidden lies;
Such are the tears that fall from foeman's eyes.

Explanation :
A weapon may be hid in the very hands with which (one's) foes adore (him) (and) the tears they shed are of the same nature.

Poem : 829

'Tis just, when men make much of you, and then despise,
To make them smile, and slap in friendship's guise.

Explanation :
It is the duty of kings to affect great love but make it die (inwardly); as regard those foes who shew them great friendship but despise them (in their heart).

Poem : 830

When time shall come that foes as friends appear,
Then thou, to hide a hostile heart, a smiling face may'st wear.

Explanation :
When one's foes begin to affect friendship, one should love them with one's looks, and, cherishing no love in the heart, give up (even the former).