2.2.3. Purity in Action
651 The good external help confers is worldly gain; By action good men every needed gift obtain. The efficacy of support will yield (only) wealth; (but) the efficacy of action will yield all that is desired.
652 From action evermore thyself restrain Of glory and of good that yields no gain. Ministers should at all times avoid acts which, in addition to fame, yield no benefit (for the future).
653 Who tell themselves that nobler things shall yet be won All deeds that dim the light of glory must they shun. Those who say, “we will become (better)” should avoid the performance of acts that would destroy (their fame).
654 Though troubles press, no shameful deed they do, Whose eyes the ever-during vision view. Those who have infallible judgement though threatened with peril will not do acts which have brought disgrace (on former ministers).
655 Do nought that soul repenting must deplore, If thou hast sinned, ’tis well if thou dost sin no more. Let a minister never do acts of which he would have to grieve saying, “what is this I have done”; (but) should he do (them), it were good that he grieved not.
656 Though her that bore thee hung’ring thou behold, no deed Do thou, that men of perfect soul have crime decreed. Though a minister may see his mother starve; let him do not act which the wise would (treat with contempt).
657 Than store of wealth guilt-laden souls obtain, The sorest poverty of perfect soul is richer gain. 81 Far more excellent is the extreme poverty of the wise than wealth obtained by heaping up of sinful deeds.
658 To those who hate reproof and do forbidden thing. What prospers now, in after days shall anguish bring. The actions of those, who have not desisted from doing deeds forbidden (by the great), will, even if they succeed, cause them sorrow.
659 What’s gained through tears with tears shall go; From loss good deeds entail harvests of blessings grow. All that has been obtained with tears (to the victim) will depart with tears (to himself); but what has been by fair means; though with loss at first, will afterwards yield fruit.
660 In pot of clay unburnt he water pours and would retain, Who seeks by wrong the realm in wealth and safety to maintain. (For a minister) to protect (his king) with wealth obtained by foul means is like preserving a vessel of wet clay by filling it with water.
2.2.4. Power in Action
661 What men call ‘power in action’ know for ‘power of mind’ Externe to man all other aids you find. Firmness in action is (simply) one’s firmness of mind; all other (abilities) are not of this nature.
662 ‘Each hindrance shun’, ‘unyielding onward press, If obstacle be there,’ These two define your way, so those that search out truth declare. Not to perform a ruinous act, and not to be discouraged by the ruinous termination of an act, are the two maxims which, the wise say, from the principles of those who have investigated the subject.
663 Man’s fitting work is known but by success achieved; In midst the plan revealed brings ruin ne’er to be retrieved. So to perform an act as to publish it (only) at its termination is (true) manliness; for to announce it beforehand, will cause irremediable sorrow.
664 Easy to every man the speech that shows the way; Hard thing to shape one’s life by words they say! To say (how an act is to be performed) is (indeed) easy for any one; but far difficult it is to do according to what has been said.
665 The power in act of men renowned and great, With king acceptance finds and fame through all the state. 82 The firmness in action of those who have become great by the excellence (of their counsel) will, by attaining its fulfilment in the person of the king, be esteemed (by all).
666 Whate’er men think, ev’n as they think, may men obtain, If those who think can steadfastness of will retain. If those who have planned (an undertaking) possess firmness (in executing it) they will obtain what they have desired even as they have desired it.
667 Despise not men of modest bearing; Look not at form, but what men are: For some there live, high functions sharing, Like linch-pin of the mighty car! Let none be despised for (their) size; (for) the world has those who resemble the linch-pin of the big rolling car.
668 What clearly eye discerns as right, with steadfast will, And mind unslumbering, that should man fulfil. An act that has been firmly resolved on must be as firmly carried out without delay.
669 Though toil and trouble face thee, firm resolve hold fast, And do the deeds that pleasure yield at last. Though it should cause increasing sorrow (at the outset), do with firmness the act that yield bliss (in the end).
670 The world desires not men of every power possessed, Who power in act desire not,- crown of all the rest. The great will not esteem those who esteem not firmness of action, whatever other abilities the latter may possess.