Wealth

Poem : 871

For Hate, that ill-conditioned thing not e'en in jest.
Let any evil lon ging rule your breast.

Explanation :
The evil of hatred is not of a nature to be desired by one even in sport.

Poem : 872

Although you hate incur of those whose ploughs are bows,
Make not the men whose ploughs are words your foes!

Explanation :
Though you may incur the hatred of warriors whose ploughs are bows, incur not that of ministers whose ploughs are words.

Poem : 873

Than men of mind diseased, a wretch more utterly forlorn,
Is he who stands alone, object of many foeman's scorn.

Explanation :
He who being alone, incurs the hatred of many is more infatuated than even mad men.

Poem : 874

The world secure on his dexterity depends,
Whose worthy rule can change his foes to friends.

Explanation :
The world abides in the greatness of that good-natured man who behaves so as to turn hatred into friendship.

Poem : 875

Without ally, who fights with twofold enemy o'ermatched,
Must render one of these a friend attached.

Explanation :
He who is alone and helpless while his foes are two should secure one of them as an agreeable help (to himself).

Poem : 876

Whether you trust or not, in time of sore distress,
Questions of diff'rence or agreement cease to press.

Explanation :
Though (one's foe is) aware or not of one's misfortune one should act so as neither to join nor separate (from him).

Poem : 877

To those who know them not, complain not of your woes;
Nor to your foeman's eyes infirmities disclose.

Explanation :
Relate not your suffering even to friends who are ignorant of it, nor refer to your weakness in the presence of your foes.

Poem : 878

Know thou the way, then do thy part, thyself defend;
Thus shall the pride of those that hate thee have an end.

Explanation :
The joy of one's foes will be destroyed if one guards oneself by knowing the way (of acting) and securing assistance.

Poem : 879

Destroy the thorn, while tender point can work thee no offence;
Matured by time, 'twill pierce the hand that plucks it thence.

Explanation :
A thorny tree should be felled while young, (for) when it is grown it will destroy the hand of the feller.

Poem : 880

But breathe upon them, and they surely die,
Who fail to tame the pride of angry enemy.

Explanation :
Those who do not destroy the pride of those who hate (them) will certainly not exist even to breathe.