2.1.4 Hearing
411 Wealth of wealth is wealth acquired be ear attent; Wealth mid all wealth supremely excellent. Wealth (gained) by the ear is wealth of wealth; that wealth is the chief of all wealth.
412 When ’tis no longer time the listening ear to feed With trifling dole of food supply the body’s need. When there is no food for the ear, give a little also to the stomach.
413 Who feed their ear with learned teachings rare, Are like the happy gods oblations rich who share. Those who in this world enjoy instruction which is the food of the ear, are equal to the Gods, who enjoy the food of the sacrifices. 52
414 Though learning none hath he, yet let him hear alway: In weakness this shall prove a staff and stay. Although a man be without learning, let him listen (to the teaching of the learned); that will be to him a staff in adversity.
415 Like staff in hand of him in slippery ground who strays Are words from mouth of those who walk in righteous ways. The words of the good are like a staff in a slippery place.
416 Let each man good things learn, for e’en as he Shall learn, he gains increase of perfect dignity. Let a man listen, never so little, to good (instruction), even that will bring him great dignity.
417 Not e’en through inadvertence speak they foolish word, With clear discerning mind who’ve learning’s ample lessons heard. Not even when they have imperfectly understood (a matter), will those men speak foolishly, who have profoundly studied and diligently listened (to instruction).
418 Where teaching hath not oped the learner’s ear, The man may listen, but he scarce can hear. The ear which has not been bored by instruction, although it hears, is deaf.
419 ‘Tis hard for mouth to utter gentle, modest word, When ears discourse of lore refined have never heard. It is a rare thing to find modesty, a reverend mouth- with those who have not received choice instruction.
420 His mouth can taste, but ear no taste of joy can give! What matter if he die, or prosperous live? What does it matter whether those men live or die, who can judge of tastes by the mouth, and not by the ear ?
2.1.5 The Possession of Knowledge
421 True wisdom wards off woes, A circling fortress high; Its inner strength man’s eager foes Unshaken will defy. Wisdom is a weapon to ward off destruction; it is an inner fortress which enemies cannot destroy.
422 Wisdom restrains, nor suffers mind to wander where it would; From every evil calls it back, and guides in way of good. Not to permit the mind to go where it lists, to keep it from evil, and to employ it in good, this is wisdom. 53
423 Though things diverse from divers sages’ lips we learn, ‘Tis wisdom’s part in each the true thing to discern. To discern the truth in every thing, by whomsoever spoken, is wisdom.
424 Wisdom hath use of lucid speech, words that acceptance win, And subtle sense of other men’s discourse takes in. To speak so as that the meaning may easily enter the mind of the hearer, and to discern the subtlest thought which may lie hidden in the words of others, this is wisdom.
425 Wisdom embraces frank the world, to no caprice exposed; Unlike the lotus flower, now opened wide, now petals strictly closed. To secure the friendship of the great is true wisdom; it is (also) wisdom to keep (that friendship unchanged, and) not opening and closing (like the lotus flower).
426 As dwells the world, so with the world to dwell In harmony- this is to wisely live and well. To live as the world lives, is wisdom.
427 The wise discern, the foolish fail to see, And minds prepare for things about to be. The wise are those who know beforehand what will happen; those who do not know this are the unwise.
428 Folly meets fearful ills with fearless heart; To fear where cause of fear exists is wisdom’s part. Not to fear what ought to be feared, is folly; it is the work of the wise to fear what should be feared.
429 The wise with watchful soul who coming ills foresee; From coming evil’s dreaded shock are free. No terrifying calamity will happen to the wise, who (foresee) and guard against coming evils.
430 The wise is rich, with ev’ry blessing blest; The fool is poor, of everything possessed. Those who possess wisdom, possess every thing; those who have not wisdom, whatever they may possess, have nothing.