2.3.15. Knowing the Quality of Hate
871 For Hate, that ill-conditioned thing not e’en in jest. Let any evil longing rule your breast. The evil of hatred is not of a nature to be desired by one even in sport.
872 Although you hate incur of those whose ploughs are bows, Make not the men whose ploughs are words your foes! Though you may incur the hatred of warriors whose ploughs are bows, incur not that of ministers whose ploughs are words.
873 Than men of mind diseased, a wretch more utterly forlorn, Is he who stands alone, object of many foeman’s scorn. He who being alone, incurs the hatred of many is more infatuated than even mad men.
874 The world secure on his dexterity depends, 106 Whose worthy rule can change his foes to friends. The world abides in the greatness of that good-natured man who behaves so as to turn hatred into friendship.
875 Without ally, who fights with twofold enemy o’ermatched, Must render one of these a friend attached. He who is alone and helpless while his foes are two should secure one of them as an agreeable help (to himself).
876 Whether you trust or not, in time of sore distress, Questions of diff’rence or agreement cease to press. Though (one’s foe is) aware or not of one’s misfortune one should act so as neither to join nor separate (from him).
877 To those who know them not, complain not of your woes; Nor to your foeman’s eyes infirmities disclose. Relate not your suffering even to friends who are ignorant of it, nor refer to your weakness in the presence of your foes.
878 Know thou the way, then do thy part, thyself defend; Thus shall the pride of those that hate thee have an end. The joy of one’s foes will be destroyed if one guards oneself by knowing the way (of acting) and securing assistance.
879 Destroy the thorn, while tender point can work thee no offence; Matured by time, ’twill pierce the hand that plucks it thence. A thorny tree should be felled while young, (for) when it is grown it will destroy the hand of the feller.
880 But breathe upon them, and they surely die, Who fail to tame the pride of angry enemy. Those who do not destroy the pride of those who hate (them) will certainly not exist even to breathe.
2.3.16. Enmity within
881 Water and shade, if they unwholesome prove, will bring you pain. And qualities of friends who treacherous act, will be your bane. Shade and water are not pleasant, (if) they cause disease; so are the qualities of (one’s) relations not agreeable, (if) they cause pain.
882 Dread not the foes that as drawn swords appear; Friendship of foes, who seem like kinsmen, fear! 107 Fear not foes (who say they would cut) like a sword; (but) fear the friendship of foes (who seemingly act) like relations.
883 Of hidden hate beware, and guard thy life; In troublous time ’twill deeper wound than potter’s knife. Fear internal enmity and guard yourself; (if not) it will destroy (you) in an evil hour, as surely as the tool which cuts the potter’s clay.
884 If secret enmities arise that minds pervert, Then even kin unkind will work thee grievous hurt. The secret enmity of a person whose mind in unreformed will lead to many evils causing disaffection among (one’s) relations.
885 Amid one’s relatives if hidden hath arise, ‘Twill hurt inflict in deadly wise. If there appears internal hatred in a (king’s) family; it will lead to many a fatal crime.
886 If discord finds a place midst those who dwelt at one before, ‘Tis ever hard to keep destruction from the door. If hatred arises among (one’s) own people, it will be hardly possible (for one) to escape death.
887 As casket with its cover, though in one they live alway, No union to the house where hate concealed hath sway. Never indeed will a family subject to internal hatred unite (really) though it may present an apparent union like that of a casket and its lid.
888 As gold with which the file contends is worn away, So strength of house declines where hate concealed hath sway. A family subject to internal hatred will wear out and lose its strength like iron that has been filed away.
889 Though slight as shred of ‘seasame’ seed it be, Destruction lurks in hidden enmity. Although internal hatred be as small as the fragment of the sesamum (seed), still does destruction dwell in it.
890 Domestic life with those who don’t agree, Is dwelling in a shed with snake for company. Living with those who do not agree (with one) is like dwelling with a cobra (in the same) hut. 108
2.3.17. Not Offending the Great
891 The chiefest care of those who guard themselves from ill, Is not to slight the powers of those who work their mighty will. Not to disregard the power of those who can carry out (their wishes) is more important than all the watchfulness of those who guard (themselves against evil).
892 If men will lead their lives reckless of great men’s will, Such life, through great men’s powers, will bring perpetual ill. To behave without respect for the great (rulers) will make them do (us) irremediable evils.
893 Who ruin covet let them shut their ears, and do despite To those who, where they list to ruin have the might. If a person desires ruin, let him not listen to the righteous dictates of law, but commit crimes against those who are able to slay (other sovereigns).
894 When powerless man ‘gainst men of power will evil deeds essay, Tis beck’ning with the hand for Death to seize them for its prey. The weak doing evil to the strong is like beckoning Yama to come (and destroy them).
895 Who dare the fiery wrath of monarchs dread, Where’er they flee, are numbered with the dead. Those who have incurred the wrath of a cruel and mighty potentate will not prosper wherever they may go.
896 Though in the conflagration caught, he may escape from thence: He ‘scapes not who in life to great ones gives offence. Though burnt by a fire (from a forest), one may perhaps live; (but) never will he live who has shown disrespect to the great (devotees).
897 Though every royal gift, and stores of wealth your life should crown, What are they, if the worthy men of mighty virtue frown? If a king incurs the wrath of the righteous great, what will become of his government with its splendid auxiliaries and (all) its untold wealth ?
898 If they, whose virtues like a mountain rise, are light esteemed; They die from earth who, with their households, ever-during seemed. If (the) hill-like (devotees) resolve on destruction, those who seemed to be everlasting will be destroyed root and branch from the earth.
899 When blazes forth the wrath of men of lofty fame, 109 Kings even fall from high estate and perish in the flame. If those of exalted vows burst in a rage, even (Indra) the king will suffer a sudden loss and be entirely ruined.
900 Though all-surpassing wealth of aid the boast, If men in glorious virtue great are wrath, they’re lost. Though in possession of numerous auxiliaries, they will perish who are-exposed to the wrath of the noble whose penance is boundless.