2.2.7. The Knowledge of Indications
701 Who knows the sign, and reads unuttered thought, the gem is he, Of earth round traversed by the changeless sea. The minister who by looking (at the king) understands his mind without being told (of it), will be a perpetual ornament to the world which is surrounded by a never-drying sea.
702 Undoubting, who the minds of men can scan, As deity regard that gifted man. He is to be esteemed a god who is able to ascertain without a doubt what is within (one’s mind).
703 Who by the sign the signs interprets plain, Give any member up his aid to gain. The king should ever give whatever (is asked) of his belongings and secure him who, by the indications (of his own mind) is able to read those of another.
704 Who reads what’s shown by signs, though words unspoken be, In form may seem as other men, in function nobler far is he. Those who understand one’s thoughts without being informed (thereof) and those who do not, may (indeed) resemble one another bodily; still are they different (mentally).
705 By sign who knows not sings to comprehend, what gain, ‘Mid all his members, from his eyes does he obtain? Of what use are the eyes amongst one’s members, if they cannot by their own indications dive those of another ?.
706 As forms around in crystal mirrored clear we find, The face will show what’s throbbing in the mind. As the mirror reflects what is near so does the face show what is uppermost in the mind.
707 Than speaking countenance hath aught more prescient skill? Rejoice or burn with rage, ’tis the first herald still! Is there anything so full of knowledge as the face ? (No.) it precedes the mind, whether (the latter is) pleased or vexed. 86
708 To see the face is quite enough, in presence brought, When men can look within and know the lurking thought. If the king gets those who by looking into his mind can understand (and remove) what has occurred (to him) it is enough that he stand looking at their face.
709 The eye speaks out the hate or friendly soul of man; To those who know the eye’s swift varying moods to scan. If a king gets ministers who can read the movements of the eye, the eyes (of foreign kings) will (themselves) reveal (to him) their hatred or friendship.
710 The men of keen discerning soul no other test apply (When you their secret ask) than man’s revealing eye. The measuring-rod of those (ministers) who say “we are acute” will on inquiry be found to be their (own) eyes and nothing else.
2.2.8. The Knowledge of the Council Chamber
711 Men pure in heart, who know of words the varied force, Should to their audience known adapt their well-arranged discourse. Let the pure who know the arrangement of words speak with deliberation after ascertaining (the nature of) the court (then assembled).
712 Good men to whom the arts of eloquence are known, Should seek occasion meet, and say what well they’ve made their own. Let the good who know the uses of words speak with a clear knowledge after ascertaining the time (suited to the court).
713 Unversed in councils, who essays to speak. Knows not the way of suasive words,- and all is weak. Those who undertake to speak without knowing the (nature of the) court are ignorant of the quality of words as well as devoid of the power (of learning).
714 Before the bright ones shine as doth the light! Before the dull ones be as purest stucco white! Ministers should be lights in the assembly of the enlightned, but assume the pure whiteness of mortar (ignorance) in that of fools.
715 Midst all good things the best is modest grace, That speaks not first before the elders’ face. The modesty by which one does not rush forward and speak in (an assembly of) superiors is the best among all (one’s) good qualities. 87
716 As in the way one tottering falls, is slip before The men whose minds are filled with varied lore. (For a minister) to blunder in the presence of those who have acquired a vast store of learning and know (the value thereof) is like a good man stumbling (and falling away) from the path (of virtue).
717 The learning of the learned sage shines bright To those whose faultless skill can value it aright. The learning of those who have read and understood (much) will shine in the assembly of those who faultlessly examine (the nature of) words.
718 To speak where understanding hearers you obtain, Is sprinkling water on the fields of growing grain! Lecturing to those who have the ability to understand (for themselves) is like watering a bed of plants that are growing (of themselves).
719 In councils of the good, who speak good things with penetrating power, In councils of the mean, let them say nought, e’en in oblivious hour. Those who are able to speak good things impressively in an assembly of the good should not even forgetfully speak them in that of the low
720 Ambrosia in the sewer spilt, is word Spoken in presence of the alien herd. To utter (a good word) in the assembly of those who are of inferior rank is like dropping nectar on the ground.
2.2.9. Not to dread the Council
721 Men, pure in heart, who know of words the varied force, The mighty council’s moods discern, nor fail in their discourse. The pure who know the classification of words having first ascertained the nature (of the court) will not (through fear) falter in their speech before the powerful body.
722 Who what they’ve learned, in penetrating words heve learned to say, Before the learn’d among the learn’d most learn’d are they. Those who can agreeably set forth their acquirements before the learned will be regarded as the most learned among the learned.
723 Many encountering death in face of foe will hold their ground; Who speak undaunted in the council hall are rarely found. Many indeed may (fearlessly) die in the presence of (their) foes; (but) few are those who are fearless in the assembly (of the learned). 88
724 What you have learned, in penetrating words speak out before The learn’d; but learn what men more learn’d can teach you more. (Ministers) should agreeably set forth their acquirements before the learned and acquire more (knowledge) from their superiors (in learning).
725 By rule, to dialectic art your mind apply, That in the council fearless you may make an apt reply. In order to reply fearlessly before a foreign court, (ministers) should learn logic according to the rules (of grammar).
726 To those who lack the hero’s eye what can the sword avail? Or science what, to those before the council keen who quail? What have they to do with a sword who are not valiant, or they with learning who are afraid of an intelligent assembly ?
727 As shining sword before the foe which ‘sexless being’ bears, Is science learned by him the council’s face who fears. The learning of him who is diffident before an assembly is like the shining sword of an hermaphrodite in the presence of his foes.
728 Though many things they’ve learned, yet useless are they all, To man who cannot well and strongly speak in council hall. Those who cannot agreeably speak good things before a good assembly are indeed unprofitable persons inspite of all their various acquirements.
729 Who, though they’ve learned, before the council of the good men quake, Than men unlearn’d a lower place must take. They who, though they have learned and understood, are yet afraid of the assembly of the good, are said to be inferior (even) to the illiterate.
730 Who what they’ve learned, in penetrating words know not to say, The council fearing, though they live, as dead are they. Those who through fear of the assembly are unable to set forth their learning in an interesting manner, though alive, are yet like the dead.