2.3.11. Folly
831 What one thing merits folly’s special name. Letting gain go, loss for one’s own to claim! Folly is one (of the chief defects); it is that which (makes one) incur loss and forego gain.
832 ‘Mid follies chiefest folly is to fix your love On deeds which to your station unbefitting prove. The greatest folly is that which leads one to take delight in doing what is forbidden.
833 Ashamed of nothing, searching nothing out, of loveless heart, Nought cherishing, ’tis thus the fool will play his part. Shamelessness indifference (to what must be sought after), harshness, and aversion for everything (that ought to be desired) are the qualities of the fool.
834 The sacred law he reads and learns, to other men expounds,- Himself obeys not; where can greater fool be found? There are no greater fools than he who, though he has read and understood (a great deal) and even taught it to others, does not walk according to his own teaching.
835 The fool will merit hell in one brief life on earth, In which he entering sinks through sevenfold round of birth. A fool can procure in a single birth a hell into which he may enter and suffer through all the seven births.
836 When fool some task attempts with uninstructed pains, It fails; nor that alone, himself he binds with chains. If the fool, who knows not how to act undertakes a work, he will (certainly) fail. (But) is it all ? He will even adorn himself with fetters.
837 When fools are blessed with fortune’s bounteous store, Their foes feed full, their friends are prey to hunger sore. If a fool happens to get an immense fortune, his neighbours will enjoy it while his relations starve.
838 When folly’s hand grasps wealth’s increase, ’twill be As when a mad man raves in drunken glee. A fool happening to possess something is like the intoxication of one who is (already) giddy.
839 Friendship of fools is very pleasant thing, Parting with them will leave behind no sting. 102 The friendship between fools is exceedingly delightful (to each other): for at parting there will be nothing to cause them pain.
840 Like him who seeks his couch with unwashed feet, Is fool whose foot intrudes where wise men meet. The appearance of a fool in an assembly of the learned is like placing (one’s) unwashed feet on a bed.
2.3.12. Ignorance
841 Want of knowledge, ‘mid all wants the sorest want we deem; Want of other things the world will not as want esteem. The want of wisdom is the greatest of all wants; but that of wealth the world will not regard as such.
842 The gift of foolish man, with willing heart bestowed, is nought, But blessing by receiver’s penance bought. (The cause of) a fool cheerfully giving (something) is nothing else but the receiver’s merit (in a former birth).
843 With keener anguish foolish men their own hearts wring, Than aught that even malice of their foes can bring. The suffering that fools inflict upon themselves is hardly possible even to foes.
844 What is stupidity? The arrogance that cries, ‘Behold, we claim the glory of the wise.’ What is called want of wisdom is the vanity which says, “We are wise”.
845 If men what they have never learned assume to know, Upon their real learning’s power a doubt ’twill throw. Fools pretending to know what has not been read (by them) will rouse suspicion even as to what they have thoroughly mastered.
846 Fools are they who their nakedness conceal, And yet their faults unveiled reveal. Even to cover one’s nakedness would be folly, if (one’s) faults were not covered (by forsaking them).
847 From out his soul who lets the mystic teachings die, Entails upon himself abiding misery. The fool who neglects precious counsel does, of his own accord, a great injury to himself.
848 Advised, he heeds not; of himself knows nothing wise; This man’s whole life is all one plague until he dies. 103 The fool will not perform (his duties) even when advised nor ascertain them himself; such a soul is a burden (to the earth) till it departs (from the body).
849 That man is blind to eyes that will not see who knowledge shows;- The blind man still in his blind fashion knows. One who would teach a fool will (simply) betray his folly; and the fool would (still) think himself “wise in his own conceit”.
850 Who what the world affirms as false proclaim, O’er all the earth receive a demon’s name. He who denies the existence of what the world believes in will be regarded as a demon on earth.