The Kural quotes

A is the starting-point of the world of sound: even so is the Great Original the starting-point of all that exists.

Of what avail is all thy learning if thou worship not the holy feet of Him of the perfect intelligence?

Husbandmen would cease to ply the plough if the fountains of the heavens are dried up.

It is rain that ruineth, and it is rain again that setteth up those that it hath ruined.

Even grass will cease to grow if the showers from above should cease to fall.

Even grass will cease to grow if the showers from above should cease to fall.

Even the mighty ocean would reek with corruption if the heavens should cease to suck its waters and render them back to it.

Sacrifices will not be offered to the Gods nor Feasts be celebrated on earth if the heavens are dried up.

Neither charity nor austerities will abide on the wide earth if the heavens should hold back their showers.

Nothing on earth can go on without water: so even right conduct itself depends ultimately on rain.

The King of the Gods himself, Indra, is witness unto the might of him that hath burned away the five desires.

The great ones are they who can achieve the impossible: the feeble ones are those who cannot.

Behold the man who appreciateth at their true value the sensations of touch and taste and sight and sound and smell: he will command the world.

Be thou unremitting in the doing of good deeds: do them with all thy might and by every means.

Be pure in heart: all righteousness is contained in this one commandment: all other things are nought but empty sound.

Avoid envy and greed, anger and harsh words: that is the way to acquire righteousness.

Behold the man who feareth to do ill and doth charity before eating his meal: his seed decayeth never.

If love aboundeth in the home and righteousness doth prevail, the home is perfect and its end is all fulfilled.

If a man fulfilleth aright the duties of the householder, where is the need for him to take up other duties?

Children are the veritable riches of a man: for they pass to him by their own acts all the merits that they acquire.

Sweeter verily than ambrosia is the plain soup bespattered by the tender hands of one’s own children.

The touch of children is the delight of the body: the delight of the ear is the hearing of their speech.

Sweeter verily than ambrosia is the plain soup bespattered by the tender hands of one’s own children.

The touch of children is the delight of the body: the delight of the ear is the hearing of their speech.

The flute is sweet and the guitar dulcet: so say they who have not heard the babbling speech of their little ones.

The touch of children is the delight of the body: the delight of the ear is the hearing of their speech.

The flute is sweet and the guitar dulcet: so say they who have not heard the babbling speech of their little ones.

What is the duty of the father to his son? It is to make him worthy to sit in the front rank in the assembly.

What is the duty of the father to his son? It is to make him worthy to sit in the front rank in the assembly.

To find oneself eclipsed in intelligence by one’s children is a delight to all the world.

Great is the joy of the mother when a male child is born unto her: but greater far is her delight when she heareth him called worthy.

Where is the bar that can close in the gates of love? The gentle teardrops of lovers’ eyes are sure to proclaim its presence.

Those that love not live only for themselves: as to those that love, their very bones are for others’ occasions.

Where is the bar that can close in the gates of love? The gentle teardrops of lovers’ eyes are sure to proclaim its presence.

Those that love not live only for themselves: as to those that love, their very bones are for others’ occasions.

They say it is to taste again of love that the soul hath consented once more to be encased in bone.

Those that love not live only for themselves: as to those that love, their very bones are for others’ occasions.

They say it is to taste again of love that the soul hath consented once more to be encased in bone.

Love maketh the heart tender towards all: and tenderness yieldeth that priceless treasure called friendship.

They say it is to taste again of love that the soul hath consented once more to be encased in bone.

Love maketh the heart tender towards all: and tenderness yieldeth that priceless treasure called friendship.

The blessing of the blessed, they say, is only the reward of a constant love.

The blessing of the blessed, they say, is only the reward of a constant love.

They are fools who say that love is for the righteous alone: for even against the evil-minded love is the only ally for a man.

Behold how the sun burneth the boneless worm: even so doth Righteousness burn the man that doth not love.

Behold the man that loveth not: he will know prosperity only when the sapless tree of the desert putteth forth leaves.

Of what avail is a lovely outside, if love, the soul’s ornament, hath no place in the heart?

The seat of life is in Love: who hath it not is only a mass of skin-encased bone.

What for do the wise toil and set up homes? It is to feed the guest and help the pilgrim.

Were it even the draught of immortality, it shall not be tasted alone when the guest is in the hall.

No evil befalleth the man who never faileth to honour the incoming guest.

Not to honour the pilgrim is veritable indigence in the midst of wealth: such a thing is found only with fools.

The anitcha flower fadeth by smelling: but a look is enough to break the heart of the guest.

The speech that is truly kind is the speech of the righteous men which is full of tenderness and free from dissimulation.

Better even than a generous gift is sweet speech and a kind and gracious look.

Behold the sweet and gracious look and the kind speech that cometh from the heart: Righteousness hath its dwelling place there.

Behold the man who always speaketh words which gladden all hearts: Poverty, the increaser of sorrow, will never come to him.

Modesty and a loving speech, these alone are the ornaments of man and none other.

Sinfulness will wane away and righteousness will increase if thy thoughts are good and thy speech is kind.

Words that are kind and are removed from all littleness yield good in this life and in the next also.

Why doth not a man cease from violent words, even after he hath felt the sweetness that kind words give?

Behold the man who useth hard words when sweet ones serve: he preferreth the unripe fruit to the ripe.

Why doth not a man cease from violent words, even after he hath felt the sweetness that kind words give?

Behold the man who useth hard words when sweet ones serve: he preferreth the unripe fruit to the ripe.

Behold the kindness done without any obligation: even the heavens and the earth are too poor to repay it.

A kindness done in the hour of need may look small: but it outweigheth the whole world.

Behold the kindness done without any obligation: even the heavens and the earth are too poor to repay it.

A kindness done in the hour of need may look small: but it outweigheth the whole world.

Behold the kindness done without thought of recompense: it is mightier than the ocean.

A kindness done in the hour of need may look small: but it outweigheth the whole world.

Behold the kindness done without thought of recompense: it is mightier than the ocean.

The benefit received may be small even like a millet seed: but in the eyes of the just its measure is that of a palmyra tree.

He that hath relieved from affliction shall be remembered with gratitude in every birth.

It is ignoble to forget a kindness: but an ill turn received it is the part of nobility to forget at once.

The mortallest injury is forgiven the moment the mind recalleth a single kindness received from the injurer.

The righteous and the unrighteous are known by their offspring.

Evil and good come unto all: but an upright heart is the glory of the wise.

When thy heart swerveth from the right and turneth unto evil, know that thy destruction is near at hand.

Self-control leadeth unto heaven, but uncontrolled passion is the royal road to endless darkness.

Guard thy self-control as a very treasure: life hath no richer wealth here below.

Self-control leadeth unto heaven, but uncontrolled passion is the royal road to endless darkness.

Guard thy self-control as a very treasure: life hath no richer wealth here below.

Behold the man who controlleth his passions consciously and by the right way: wisdom and every other blessing will come unto him.

Humility is beautiful in all man: but alone on the rich doth it shine in all its splendour.

Behold the man who can draw in into himself his five senses even as the tortoise doth its limbs: he hath laid up for himself a treasure for all his future births.

Whatever else thou rein not in, rein in thy tongue: for an unbridled tongue leadeth unto grief.

Behold the man who can draw in into himself his five senses even as the tortoise doth its limbs: he hath laid up for himself a treasure for all his future births.

Whatever else thou rein not in, rein in thy tongue: for an unbridled tongue leadeth unto grief.

If even one word of thine causeth pain to another, all thy virtue is lost.

If even one word of thine causeth pain to another, all thy virtue is lost.

The burn caused by fire healeth in its time: but the wound burned in by the tongue remaineth green forever.

Behold the man who hath learned wisdom and whose mind is tranquil and under perfect control: Righteousness pilgrimageth to his home in order to have a look at him.

The earth supporteth even those that dig into her: even so bear thou with those that traduce thee; for that is greatness.

Forgive thou always the injuries that others may do thee: but if thou forget them, it were even better.

The wise respect not the men who retaliate an injury: but they are prized as gold who forgive their enemy.

The joy of revenge lasteth but a day: but the glory of him who forgiveth endureth forever.

Be the wrong suffered ever so great: the better part is not to take it to heart and to abstain from revenge.

Be the wrong suffered ever so great: the better part is not to take it to heart and to abstain from revenge.

Conquer by thy nobility those that in their pride have injured thee.

More saintly than even those that have renounced are they that bear with the bitter tongue of their detractors.

The wise injure not others through envy: for they know the evils that result therefrom.

Envy itself is scourge enough for the envious man: for, even if his enemies spare him, his own envy will work his ruin.

Behold the man that beareth not to see gifts made to another: his family will beg for very food and clothing and perish.

The affluence of the envious and the misery of the generous-minded are alike matter for wonder.

Never hath envy led to prosperity: nor a liberal heart to a fall therefrom.

Behold the wise man that understandeth justice and coveteth not: Lakshmi knoweth his worth and seeketh him in his home.

The greed that looketh not beyond engendereth destruction: but the greatness that sayeth, I desire not, triumpheth over all.

How doth the Earth suffer patiently the tread of the calumniator on her bosom? Is it that she looketh unto Righteousness to rid her of him?

If a man can scan his own faults as he doth those of his enemies, can evil ever come to him?

Worse even than injuring one’s friends is the speaking of vain words before many.

He that multiplieth empty words declareth loud his want of worth.

Behold the man that speaketh vain words in an assembly: no profit will come unto him and all that is good will flee from his side.

The evil fear not the folly called sin: but the worthy flee from it.

Evil bringeth forth evil: evil therefore shall be feared even more than fire.

The chiefest wisdom, they say, is to abstain from injury even to an enemy.

Evil bringeth forth evil: evil therefore shall be feared even more than fire.

The chiefest wisdom, they say, is to abstain from injury even to an enemy.

Let not a man compass another’s ruin even by oversight: for Justice will compass the ruin of him that plotteth evil.

There is a way of escape from every other enemy: but ill deeds never die but pursue and destroy their author.

As the shadow leaveth not a man but doggeth his steps wherever he goeth, even so do evil deeds pursue their author and work his destruction.

If a man love his own self, let him not incline toward evil in any degree.

The gracious expect no return when they oblige: how ever can the world repay the rain-cloud?

The substance gathered in by the worthy by the labour of their hands is all for others’ use.

He alone liveth who knoweth what is proper: he who knoweth not what is fitting shall be classed with the dead.

Behold the village tank filled with water to its brim: like unto it is the prosperity of the wise man that loveth the world.

Like unto a fruit-tree in the middle of the village bearing fruit is riches in the hands of the man of heart.

Behold the village tank filled with water to its brim: like unto it is the prosperity of the wise man that loveth the world.

Like unto a fruit-tree in the middle of the village bearing fruit is riches in the hands of the man of heart.

Like unto a tree that yieldeth medicinal drugs and drieth not is riches in the hands of the generous man.

Giving to the poor is alone charity: all other giving is of the nature of loan.

Though it lead unto heaven, receiving is bad: and though heaven should be denied to the giver, giving alms is a virtue.

It is only the highborn man that giveth without ever meanly saying, I have not.

The heart of the giver is not glad until he seeth the smile of content on the face of the suppliant.

The conquest of conquests to the conqueror over self is the conquest over hunger: but his conquest cometh only after the conquest of him who appeaseth that hunger.

The hard of heart who perish their wealth by hoarding it, have not they ever tasted the delight of giving unto others?

Bitterer verily than the beggar’s bread is the hoarded meal of the miser eating alone.

Nothing is bitterer than death: but even death is sweet when one hath not the power to do charity.

The chiefest wealth is a heart that is rich in mercy: for material wealth is found even in the hands of vile men.

Reason by the right method and take up Mercy: and if thou inquire of all religions also, thou shalt see that Mercy is the only salvation.

It is as easy for the hard of heart to do deeds of righteousness as for the confused in mind to realise the Truth.

When thou art tempted to oppress the weak, consider how it would be for thee to tremble before a stronger.

How can he feel pity, who eateth other flesh in order to fatten his own?

Riches are not for the thriftless: even so pity is not for those that eat meat.

It is the men that do tapas that look after their own interests: the rest are caught in the snares of desire and only do themselves harm.

The fiercer the fire in which it is melted the more brilliant becometh the lustre of the gold: even so the severer the sufferings endured by the austere, the purer their nature shineth.

Behold the man who hath attained mastery over himself: all other men worship him.

Many there be whose heart is impure but who bathe in holy streams and prowl about.

The arrow is straight and the lute hath a bend: judge thou therefore men by their acts and not by their appearance.

Neither matted hair thou wantest nor shaven head, if thou abstain from that which the world contemneth.

What is truthfulness? It is the speaking of that which is free from even the slightest taint of evil.

Even falsehood is of the nature of truth if it bringeth forth unmixed good.

What is truthfulness? It is the speaking of that which is free from even the slightest taint of evil.

Even falsehood is of the nature of truth if it bringeth forth unmixed good.

Bear not false witness against thy neighbour: for thy own conscience will burn thee when thou hast lied.

Bear not false witness against thy neighbour: for thy own conscience will burn thee when thou hast lied.

Behold the man whose heart is free from falsehood: he reigneth in the hearts of all.

Behold the man whose heart is fixed in truthfulness: he is greater than the austere and greater than he that distributeth alms.

If a map can live without ever uttering a falsehood, all other virtue is superfluous unto him.

The cleanliness of the body belongeth unto water: but the purity of the heart is proved by truthfulness.

The worthy regard not all other light as light: it is only the light of truth that they look upon as a veritable illumination.

Whoever thy offender may be, forget thy anger: for from anger springeth a multitude of ills.

Anger killeth the smile and it destroyeth cheer: hath man a crueller foe than anger?

If thou want to look after thyself, keep off from choler: for if thou keep not off, it will come upon thee and destroy thy own self.

If thou injure another, even though it be only a man who hath injured thee without any provocation, thou simply bringest down upon thyself evils that can never be remedied.

How shall a man punish them that have injured him? Let him do them a good turn and make them ashamed in their hearts.

Of what avail is intelligence to a man if he doth not look on others’ pain as his own and abstain from injuring any?

Of what avail is intelligence to a man if he doth not look on others’ pain as his own and abstain from injuring any?

When a man hath felt a pain for himself, let him take care that he inflicteth it not on others.

It is a great thing it thou injure not knowingly any man, at any time, and in any degree.

The crowd that assembleth to witness a village show, that is the symbol of great riches flowing on a man: and the dispersal of that same crowd is the type of its passing away.

Prosperity is transient: if thou have come by it, delay not to do things that are of lasting good.

Tine looketh like an innocent thing: but verily it is a saw that is continually sawing away the life of man.

But yesterday a man was and today he is not: that is the wonder of wonders in this world.

Man knoweth not if he shall last the next minute: but his thoughts are more than ten million.

The fledgeling abandoneth the broken shell of the egg and flieth away: that is the symbol of the love between the soul and the body.

Man knoweth not if he shall last the next minute: but his thoughts are more than ten million.

The fledgeling abandoneth the broken shell of the egg and flieth away: that is the symbol of the love between the soul and the body.

Death is like unto a sleep: and life is like the waking after that sleep.

Whatsoever thing a man hath renounced, from the grief arising from that thing hath he liberated himself.

If thou want joy, renounce early: for many are the delights that thou shalt enjoy after renouncing.

The feelings of I and Mine are nought but vanity and pride: he who crusheth them entereth a higher world than the world of the Gods.

Behold the man who holdeth on to attachments and giveth not them up: Grief shall take hold of him and shall not give him up.

They that have renounced utterly are on the path to salvation: but the others are caught in a snare.

Though risen to human birth, nought is gained if the soul realiseth not the Truth.

To separate the true from the false in everything, whatever its nature may be, that is the part of a wise understanding.

Behold the man who hath studied deeply and hath realised the Truth: he shall enter the path that leadeth not again into this world.

Even here a man shall have everlasting joy if he killeth that greatest misery of all, desire.

Desire is never filled: but if a man giveth it up he attaineth perfection even at that very moment.

There are two things in the world which have nothing in common: Riches is one thing and Saintliness is quite another.

When the tide is against thee even good things turn to evil: and even evil things turn to good when the tide is on.

What Destiny denieth thou canst not keep even with the utmost care: and even if thou scatter abroad, the things that are thine will not go away from thee.

Though thou hast to humble thyself before the teacher even as a beggar before a man of wealth thou yet acquirest learning: it is those that refuse to learn that are the lowest among men.

Knowledge is like unto a sand-spring: the more thou diggest and drawest thereat, the more excellent is the flow thereof.

Everywhere is his home to the learned man, and everywhere his native land: why then doth a man neglect instruction up to his dying day?

Knowledge is like unto a sand-spring: the more thou diggest and drawest thereat, the more excellent is the flow thereof.

Everywhere is his home to the learned man, and everywhere his native land: why then doth a man neglect instruction up to his dying day?

The learning that a man hath acquired in one birth will exalt him; even in all his succeeding incarnations.

The learned man seeth that the learning that delighteth him delighteth also all that listen to him: and he loveth instruction all the more on that account.

An imperishable and flawless treasure is learning to a man: other wealth is as nothing before it.

Behold the man without learning who desireth to be called eloquent: he is like unto a woman without busts who yearneth to be admired of men.

Even a fool shall be counted wise if he can hold his peace before the learned.

The opinion of an ignorant man will be rejected by the wise even though it may be perfectly sensible.

The understanding is an armour against all surprise: it is a fortress which even enemies cannot storm.

It is the understanding that curbeth the senses from roving about, keepeth them from evil, and directeth them towards the Good.

Behold the man of foresight who is armed for every contingency: he will never know the blow that causeth trembling.

He that hath understanding hath everything: but the fool though he possess everything hath nothing.

Men of worth fear vulgar company: but little-minded men mix with it as if they made one family with it.

Water altereth and taketh the character of the soil through which it floweth: even so the mind taketh the colour of the company with which it consorteth.

The understanding of a man belongeth unto his mind: but his reputation dependeth on the company he keepeth.

Behold the men who fear to be ridiculed by others: they start not on any enterprise without previous deliberation.

To make war without planning every detail of it beforehand is only to transplant thy enemy on carefully prepared soil.

There are things that ought not to be done and if thou do them thou wilt be ruined: and there are things that ought to be done and if thou do them not thou will be ruined also.

The crow triumpheth over the owl when it is day: so opportunity is a great thing to the prince who would vanquish his enemy.

To follow closely on the pace of Time: that is the cord that will bind Fortune to thee firmly.

Those that are intent on conquests will be quietly watching their opportunity: they will know neither confusion nor hurry.

The ram steppeth back before it delivereth the crushing blow: even such is the inaction of the man of energy.

The wise show not their anger on the spot: they will nurse it within their hearts and wait for their opportunity.

The plans of thy adversaries will be baffled if thou fall back on strong positions and base thyself on them.

All-powerful is the crocodile in deep water: but out of it, it is the plaything of its foes.

The strong-wheeled chariot runneth not on the sea: nor saileth the oceangoing ship on dry land.

Even if they have no proper defences and other advantages it is hard to beat a people on their own soil.

Behold the high-mettled elephant that hath faced without wincing a whole multitude of lancers: even a jackal will triumph over him when he is entangled in marshy ground.

Even men of rare learning and of pure hearts will not be found, when thou dost test them, to be absolutely exempt from all ignorance.

Weigh a man’s good and weigh his evil: whichever is more, take that to be his nature.

Dost thou want to find out whether a man is noble or little-minded? Know that conduct is the touchstone of character.

Weigh a man’s good and weigh his evil: whichever is more, take that to be his nature.

Dost thou want to find out whether a man is noble or little-minded? Know that conduct is the touchstone of character.

Beware of trusting men that have no kindred: for their hearts will be without attachment and they will be callous to shame.

Worse than excessive rage is the unguardedness that cometh of self-complacency.

A false sense of security killeth glory even as indigence crusheth the understanding.

Glory is not for the unwatchful: that is the conclusion of every school of thinkers in the world.

Behold the thoughtless prince whose rule swerveth from the ways of justice: he will lose his kingdom and his substance also.

Verily it is the tears of those groaning under oppression that wear away the prosperity of the prince.

It is just rule that bringeth renown unto princes: and an unjust government darkeneth their glory.

If the prince is harsh of word and unforgiving, his prosperity, be it ever so great, will come to an end quickly.

Words that are harsh and punishments that are excessive are the files that file away the iron of power.

Behold the prince who will not take counsel with his councillors but who falleth into a passion when his projects fail: his prosperity will wane away.

Behold the man who remitteth not ever from his activity: Good Fortune inquireth the way to his home.

The water with which a plant is watered is the measure of the luxuriance of its flower: even so, the spirit of a man is the measure of his fortunes.

Let all thy purposes be grand: for then even if they fail, their glory will tarnish never.

The water with which a plant is watered is the measure of the luxuriance of its flower: even so, the spirit of a man is the measure of his fortunes.

Let all thy purposes be grand: for then even if they fail, their glory will tarnish never.

Men of spirit flinch not before a defeat: the elephant planteth his legs only more firmly when he is hit by the deep-piercing arrow.

Let all thy purposes be grand: for then even if they fail, their glory will tarnish never.

Men of spirit flinch not before a defeat: the elephant planteth his legs only more firmly when he is hit by the deep-piercing arrow.

Behold the men that are wanting in energy: the glory of an exhaustless liberality can never be theirs.

Behold the men who are sunk in sloth and who turn not their hand to any noble undertakings: their family will go to ruin and their vices will grow apace.

Procrastination, forgetfulness, sloth, and sleep, these four are the cosy pleasure boats of those that are fated to perish.

The slothful can never thrive in the world even though they have the favour of princes.

The man who loveth not pleasure but loveth work is a pillar of strength unto his friends and will wipe away their tears of grief.

Industry is the mother of Prosperity: but Indolence only bringeth forth Misery.

In sloth hath the Genius of Wretchedness her home: but the Lotus-born One resideth in the labour of him who yieldeth not to sloth.

It is no shame if fortune faileth a man but it is a disgrace if he abstain deliberately from exertion.

Even though the Gods be against, Industry is bound to pay the wages of labour.

They will snap their fingers even at Destiny who succumb not to it but labour unremittingly in despite of it.

When thou meetest with misfortune face it with thy best smile: for there is nothing like a smile to enable a man to hold his own against it.

A whole sea of troubles will abase themselves the moment a shifty mind collecteth itself to face them.

Behold the man who is prepared to strain his every nerve like the bull-buffalo to wade through every difficulty: he may meet with obstacles but he will send them away disappointed.

Behold the man whose heart sinketh not even at a whole host of troubles arrayed against him: the obstacles in his path have themselves met with an obstacle.

The men that exult not at good fortune, can they ever fret themselves saying, Alas! we are ruined?

Behold the men whose speech is well ordered and couched in persuasive language: the world will be at their beck and call.

Verily they have a passion for much speaking who know not to say their mind in few and well chosen words.

Behold the men who cannot expound unto others the knowledge that they have acquired: they are like unto the flower that blossometh but giveth forth no fragrance.

All that is wrong in the midst of tears will depart also accompanied by weepings: but that which is acquired by righteous ways, even if lost in the middle, increaseth in the latter end.

To try to lay by wealth by means of guile is like trying to preserve water in a pot of clay that is not baked.

The man of action letteth his purpose appear only when that purpose is achieved: for an untimely disclosure would create obstacles that cannot be surmounted.

To say a thing is easy for any man: but to do it in the manner undertaken is a rare thing indeed.

Behold the man who hath acquired a name for the doing of great deeds: his services will be greatly in request with the prince and will be esteemed by all.

That which they will, men acquire even in the manner that they will, provided they will with all their might.

Despise not a man for his look: for there are men who are even as the axle pin of the mighty rolling car.

When thou hast resolved upon a thing with all thy wits about thee, waver not but pursue thy purpose with vigour.

What is the place of the eve among the organs of sense, if it divineth not by a look that which is in the heart?

Even as the crystal changeth and assumeth the colour of that which is near, even so doth the face alter and show that which overfloweth the heart.

What is there that is subtler than the face? for whether the heart is angry or glad it is the face that expresseth it first.

Behold the man who can sustain his conclusions in the congregation of the learned: he will be called a scholar among scholars.

They are common, those that can brave death on the battlefield: but they are rare who can face an audience without trembling.

Place before the learned that which thou hast mastered: and that which thou knowest not, learn from them that excel therein.

The javelin that is aimed at a tusker but misseth bringeth more glory than the arrow that is aimed at a hare and even hitteth.

The furious courage that striketh hard, that is what they call valour: but it is chivalrous generosity to the fallen that giveth it its edge.

The warrior hurled his spear at the elephant and was hurrying back to look for another: but he noticed the spear buried in his own body and smiled with joy as he plucked it out.

What is there in the world that is so difficult to acquire as friendship? and what other armour equalleth it as a defence against the machinations of foes?

Like unto the waxing of the moon is the friendship of the worthy: but the alliance of fools is like the waning thereof.

Like unto the waxing of the moon is the friendship of the worthy: but the alliance of fools is like the waning thereof.

The friendship of the worthy is like the studying of great books: the more thou approachest them, the more charms thou wilt discover in them.

The object of friendship is not merrymaking: but the restraining and reproving of oneself when one goeth astray.

The object of friendship is not merrymaking: but the restraining and reproving of oneself when one goeth astray.

Constant meeting and companionship are superfluous: it is the union of hearts that maketh strong the bond of friendship.

Friendship is not the comradeship that smileth to the face: it is rather the love that delighteth the heart.

Constant meeting and companionship are superfluous: it is the union of hearts that maketh strong the bond of friendship.

Friendship is not the comradeship that smileth to the face: it is rather the love that delighteth the heart.

That man alone is thy friend who turneth thee aside from wrong, directeth thee toward the right, and beareth thee company in misfortune.

That man alone is thy friend who turneth thee aside from wrong, directeth thee toward the right, and beareth thee company in misfortune.

Behold the hand of the man whose garment hath been blown aside, how it hurrieth to re-cover his limbs: that is the symbol of the true friend that hasteneth to succour a man in his misfortune.

Where doth friendship hold its court? It is where two hearts beat in perfect unison and combine to lift each other up in every possible way.

Look for the men who know the way of the wise and can reprove and chastise thee whenever thou go astray: and make them thy friends.

There is a virtue even in misfortune: for it is the rod wherewith to measure thy friends.

To discard the friendship of fools, that is veritable profit for a man.

If the fool obtaineth anything of value he will behave like a madman who is also grown tipsy.

Greatly delectable is the friendship of fools: one feeleth no pangs when one parteth from them.

Even as is the placing of an unwashed foot on the couch, even so is the entrance of the fool in an assembly of men of worth.

Behold the shallow man that cannot keep a secret to himself: he will bring down great calamities on his own head.

Behold the man who neither listeneth to advice nor knoweth for himself what is right: all the days of his life he is a plague to his fellows.

He that trieth to open the eyes of a fool is a fool himself: for the fool seeth but one way and that way is never wrong in his eyes.

Even groves and fountains give no joy if they breed disease: even so kinsmen too are an abomination when they seek one’s ruin.

Fear not the foe that is like the naked sword: but beware of the enemy that cometh as a friend.

Guard thyself against the secret enemy: for in the moment of embarrassment he will cut thee clean like the potter’s steel.

An aspiration for noble achievement, that is what is called greatness: and littleness is the thought that sayeth, I shall live without it.

The manner of birth is the same for all men: but their reputations vary because they differ in the lives that they lead.

Even if they are noble, those that are not noble are not noble; and even if they are lowborn, those that are not low are not low.

If fortune falleth to the lot of the little-minded their insolence will know no bounds.

Greatness is ever unpretending and modest: but littleness vaunteth its merits before all the world.

Greatness showeth condescension unto all: but littleness is the very acme of insolence.

Greatness showeth condescension unto all: but littleness is the very acme of insolence.

Greatness is always for screening the infirmities of others: but littleness will talk nothing but scandal.

Where is the superiority of the worthy man if he doth not do good even unto those that work him injury?

Poverty is no disgrace to a man if he possesseth the wealth that is called character.

Behold the men that would not swerve from the path of rectitude even if all else should change in a general convulsion: they will be called the very palladium of worth.

Behold the men who love justice and righteousness, and who are of a helpful disposition: the world setteth a high value on their manners.

Disparaging words pain a man even when uttered only in jest: the well-bred therefore are never discourteous even to their foes.

The world goeth on smoothly because of the men of good-breeding: verily, but for them all this harmony would be dead and buried in the dust.

Behold the man that giveth not anything to the needy: the wealth in his hands is like a fair damsel that wasteth away her youth in loneliness.

The fortune of the man that is not loved of men is like the fruiting of the poison tree in the midst of the village.

The wealth that is made without any regard to love or righteousness, and by starving oneself, is hoarded only for the behoof of strangers.

If the goodman visiteth not his land but sitteth at home, the land will take huff even as the goodwife.

The fair one called Earth laugheth to herself when she seeth the sluggard cry, saying, Alas, I have nothing to eat.

Is Indigence to bear me company even today? It tormented me but only yesterday even unto death.

It is possible to go to sleep even in the midst of flames: but it is impossible to get even a wink of sleep in the midst of poverty.

The one way open to the indigent is to renounce utterly, their lives: their not doing so is but death to salt and rice-water.

Behold the dignity that consenteth not to beg even when reduced to utter destitution: even the whole universe is too small to hold it.

Though it is only gruel thin as water, nothing is more savoury than the food that is earned by the labour of one’s hands.

Even if what thou beggest is only water for the cow, nothing is so humiliating to the tongue to utter as a begging prayer.

Two are the looks of her eye: one of them tortureth the heart, but the other is the balm that healeth it.

The furtive lightning glance that is turned on the lover the moment that his eyes are turned aside, is not merely the half of love: it is more than a moiety.

The furtive lightning glance that is turned on the lover the moment that his eyes are turned aside, is not merely the half of love: it is more than a moiety.

She looked, and then she bowed: that was the watering of the young plant of love that was springing between us.

When I look at her, she looketh at the ground: but when I look away, she looketh on me and solely smileth.

It is only in lovers’ eyes that one can see the look of absolute unconcern, as if they were perfect strangers.

When eyes speak their consent to eyes, the words of the mouth are quite superfluous.

Is the world of the lotus-eyed God sweeter than the tender arms of her that one loveth?

When she is at a distance she burneth, but when she is near she is refreshingly cool: ah! whence did she obtain this strange fire?

Behold the witchery of my love whose tresses are adorned with flowers! whatever thing my heart desireth, that very thing her form seemeth to me to be!

She hath adorned herself with anitcha flowers but hath not removed the stems from among them: alack! her waist will be crushed beneath the weight and will presently break!

The stars of the heavens wander from their spheres for that they cannot tell which is the moon and which her face.

But is there a spot in the face of this fair one even as in the moon which hath rounded up only today its deformities of yesterday?

The door that is bolted with the bolt of modesty will yet yield to the axe of an overpowering love.

Heartless is this thing called Love: for it oppresseth my heart even in the dead of night.

Heartless is this thing called Love: for it oppresseth my heart even in the dead of night.

I try indeed to shut my love up within my heart: but like a sneeze it breaketh out of itself without a warning.

I was proud that I was correct and decorous in my behaviour: but alas! love rendeth every veil and showeth itself in public.

Wine is never unwelcome to the drunkard though it maketh him hang down his head in shame: even so is thy bosom to me, O false one!

Even tenderer than a flower is love: and few there be who know its delicacy and deal with it gently.

There were the sulks in her eye when she saw me: but when I approached, she flew to my arms even quicker than I myself to hers.

Thou refusest to indulge in a bouderie, my Heart, before showing thy delight in his company: who is going hereafter to take thee as a confidant in suchlike things?

It feareth lest it should not get him, and when it hath got him, it feareth lest it should lose him: thus there is no end to the pangs that my Heart suffereth.

What is my Heart good for? It is good for nothing else but to devour me when I am musing alone.

Sweeter is digestion than the meal: even so is the lovers’ quarrel sweeter than the embrace.

It is the one who yieldeth first who is the winner in lovers’ quarrels: thou canst see it indeed at the hour of reconciliation.

Verily, will she give some piquancy to the delights of our embrace by just feigning a quarrel for some time?