Wealth

Poem : 961

Though linked to splendours man no otherwise may gain,
Reject each act that may thine honour's clearness stain.

Explanation :
Actions that would degrade (one's) family should not be done; though they may be so important that not doing them would end in death.

Poem : 962

Who seek with glory to combine honour's untarnished fame,
Do no inglorious deeds, though men accord them glory's name.

Explanation :
Those who desire (to maintain their) honour, will surely do nothing dishonourable, even for the sake of fame.

Poem : 963

Bow down thy soul, with increase blest, in happy hour;
Lift up thy heart, when stript of all by fortune's power.

Explanation :
In great prosperity humility is becoming; dignity, in great adversity.

Poem : 964

Like hairs from off the head that fall to earth,
When fall'n from high estate are men of noble birth.

Explanation :
They who have fallen from their (high) position are like the hair which has fallen from the head.

Poem : 965

If meanness, slight as 'abrus' grain, by men be wrought,
Though like a hill their high estate, they sink to nought.

Explanation :
Even those who are exalted like a hill will be thought low, if they commit deeds that are debasing.

Poem : 966

It yields no praise, nor to the land of Gods throws wide the gate;
Why follow men who scorn, and at their bidding wait?

Explanation :
Of what good is it (for the high-born) to go and stand in vain before those who revile him ? it only brings him loss of honour and exclusion from heaven.

Poem : 967

Better 'twere said, 'He's perished!' than to gain
The means to live, following in foeman's train.

Explanation :
It is better for a man to be said of him that he died in his usual state than that he eked out his life by following those who disgraced him.

Poem : 968

When high estate has lost its pride of honour meet,
Is life, that nurses this poor flesh, as nectar sweet?

Explanation :
For the high-born to keep their body in life when their honour is gone will certainly not prove a remedy against death.

Poem : 969

Like the wild ox that, of its tuft bereft, will pine away,
Are those who, of their honour shorn, will quit the light of day.

Explanation :
Those who give up (their) life when (their) honour is at stake are like the yark which kills itself at the loss of (even one of) its hairs.

Poem : 970

Who, when dishonour comes, refuse to live, their honoured memory
Will live in worship and applause of all the world for aye!

Explanation :
The world will (always) praise and adore the fame of the honourable who would rather die than suffer indignity.