1.2.12. The Possession of Patience, Forbearance
151 As earth bears up the men who delve into her breast, To bear with scornful men of virtues is the best. To bear with those who revile us, just as the earth bears up those who dig it, is the first of virtues. 20
152 Forgiving trespasses is good always; Forgetting them hath even higher praise; Bear with reproach even when you can retaliate; but to forget it will be still better than that.
153 The sorest poverty is bidding guest unfed depart; The mightiest might to bear with men of foolish heart. To neglect hospitality is poverty of poverty. To bear with the ignorant is might of might.
154 Seek’st thou honour never tarnished to retain; So must thou patience, guarding evermore, maintain. If you desire that greatness should never leave, you preserve in your conduct the exercise of patience.
155 Who wreak their wrath as worthless are despised; Who patiently forbear as gold are prized. (The wise) will not at all esteem the resentful. They will esteem the patient just as the gold which they lay up with care.
156 Who wreak their wrath have pleasure for a day; Who bear have praise till earth shall pass away. The pleasure of the resentful continues for a day. The praise of the patient will continue until (the final destruction of) the world.
157 Though others work thee ill, thus shalt thou blessing reap; Grieve for their sin, thyself from vicious action keep! Though others inflict injuries on you, yet compassionating the evil (that will come upon them) it will be well not to do them anything contrary to virtue.
158 With overweening pride when men with injuries assail, By thine own righteous dealing shalt thou mightily prevail. Let a man by patience overcome those who through pride commit excesses.
159 They who transgressors’ evil words endure With patience, are as stern ascetics pure. Those who bear with the uncourteous speech of the insolent are as pure as the ascetics.
160 Though ‘great’ we deem the men that fast and suffer pain, Who others’ bitter words endure, the foremost place obtain. Those who endure abstinence from food are great, next to those who endure the uncourteous speech of others.
2 1 1.2.13 Not Envying
161 As ‘strict decorum’s’ laws, that all men bind, Let each regard unenvying grace of mind. Let a man esteem that disposition which is free from envy in the same manner as propriety of conduct.
162 If man can learn to envy none on earth, ‘Tis richest gift, -beyond compare its worth. Amongst all attainable excellences there is none equal to that of being free from envy towords others.
163 Nor wealth nor virtue does that man desire ’tis plain, Whom others’ wealth delights not, feeling envious pain. Of him who instead of rejoicing in the wealth of others, envies it, it will be said “he neither desires virtue not wealth.”
164 The wise through envy break not virtue’s laws, Knowing ill-deeds of foul disgrace the cause. (The wise) knowing the misery that comes from transgression will not through envy commit unrighteous deeds.
165 Envy they have within! Enough to seat their fate! Though foemen fail, envy can ruin consummate. To those who cherish envy that is enough. Though free from enemies that (envy) will bring destruction.
166 Who scans good gifts to others given with envious eye, His kin, with none to clothe or feed them, surely die. He who is envious at a gift (made to another) will with his relations utterly perish destitute of food and rainment.
167 From envious man good fortune’s goddess turns away, Grudging him good, and points him out misfortune’s prey. Lakshmi envying (the prosperity) of the envious man will depart and introduce him to her sister.
168 Envy, embodied ill, incomparable bane, Good fortune slays, and soul consigns to fiery pain. Envy will destroy (a man’s) wealth (in his world) and drive him into the pit of fire (in the world to come.)
169 To men of envious heart, when comes increase of joy, Or loss to blameless men, the ‘why’ will thoughtful hearts employ. 22 The wealth of a man of envious mind and the poverty of the righteous will be pondered.
170 No envious men to large and full felicity attain; No men from envy free have failed a sure increase to gain. Never have the envious become great; never have those who are free from envy been without greatness.
1.2.14 Not Coveting
171 With soul unjust to covet others’ well-earned store, Brings ruin to the home, to evil opes the door. If a man departing from equity covet the property (of others), at that very time will his family be destroyed and guilt be incurred.
172 Through lust of gain, no deeds that retribution bring, Do they, who shrink with shame from every unjust thing. Those who blush at the want of equity will not commit disgraceful acts through desire of the profit that may be gained.
173 No deeds of ill, misled by base desire, Do they, whose souls to other joys aspire. Those who desire the higher pleasures (of heaven) will not act unjustly through desire of the trifling joy. (in this life.)
174 Men who have conquered sense, with sight from sordid vision freed, Desire not other’s goods, e’en in the hour of sorest need. The wise who have conquered their senses and are free from crime, will not covet (the things of others), with the thought “we are destitute.”
175 What gain, though lore refined of amplest reach he learn, His acts towards all mankind if covetous desire to folly turn? What is the advantage of extensive and accurate knowledge if a man through covetousness act senselessly towards all ?
176 Though, grace desiring, he in virtue’s way stand strong, He’s lost who wealth desires, and ponders deeds of wrong. If he, who through desire of the virtue of kindness abides in the domestic state i.e., the path in which it may be obtained, covet (the property of others) and think of evil methods (to obtain it), he will perish.
177 Seek not increase by greed of gain acquired; That fruit matured yields never good desired. Desire not the gain of covetousness. In the enjoyment of its fruits there is no glory. 23
178 What saves prosperity from swift decline? Absence of lust to make another’s cherished riches thine! If it is weighed, “what is the indestructibility of wealth,” it is freedom from covetousness.
179 Good fortune draws anigh in helpful time of need, To him who, schooled in virtue, guards his soul from greed. Lakshmi, knowing the manner (in which she may approach) will immediately come to those wise men who, knowing that it is virtue, covet not the property of others.
180 From thoughtless lust of other’s goods springs fatal ill, Greatness of soul that covets not shall triumph still. To covet (the wealth of another) regardless of consequences will bring destruction. That greatness (of mind) which covets not will give victory.