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THE NALADIYAR.
DECEMBER, 1873.]
-is like rice-milk destitute of butter (therefore tasteless). 4. Though great stones do not understand the speech of men, yet since they do what is required of them, as standing, sitting, lying down, or moving, they are far more useful than a fool (as it is impossible to induce a fool to act as we wish him). 5. If a fool, when angry with others, with any cause for anger,-like one who supposes he has made an acquisition, without having really obtained anything-bewildered by passion, cannot crowd together abusive words, his tongue tingles all over. 6. The worthless friendships of those who say, We will make them our own, while they follow those who have no friendship for them, O lord of the sea-shore where the punnei with fair blossoms grows! is as it were losing one's arm in striking another with a stone. 7. As the ants without intermission walk round and round the outside of the pot in which there is butter, though it be impossible to get at it, so men of the world will never learn, but cleave to those rich men who never give them anything. 8. Will they not abhor the days of life who daily enjoy not good, who practise not virtue, who give not to the destitute, who enjoy not their own wives (but seek to dishonour others'), and who live not a life commended by others? 9. Friendship with those who say, We care not for their commendation, when those who love them praise them, and who are destitute of all tried good qualities, although by it one should be able to obtain the whole earth surrounded by the sea with rolling harsh-resounding waves, will be only affliction. 10. When a man's neighbours commend one on account of his learning, wideextended fame, and high birth, he shall obtain glory. But if he himself speak of these things, his brother-in-law will mock him, saying, He is a lunatic who cannot be cured by any medicine. CHAPTER 35.-Meanness.
1. Though one every morning, as a necessary duty, put bruised grain into the mouth of the fowl, it desists not from turning up the dunghill; so though one explain books of science of great importance, yet the mean man will the more follow the path most agreeable to his mind. 2. When one proposes, saying, Let us go at once to the abode of the perfect, who have acquired learning which establishes the mind, the base will rise up and say, Let us go to sleep, or if not, they will say something else equally
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foolish and refuse to go altogether. 3. Though the excellent obtain great honour, they swerve not from their former disposition, but follow one line of conduct. O lord of the fair land of copious streams! though the base obtain great honour, they too alter not their line of conduct. 4. Ifone confer a benefit upon them even as small as a grain of millet, the excellent will consider it to be as large as a palmyra-tree. O lord of the fair land of sparkling steams! though a benefit as large as a palmyra be daily conferred upon him, the ignorant mean man has no gratitude (it is considered as no benefit at all by those who are ungrateful for the good done to them). 5. Though the dog be delicately nourished and fed from a golden dish, yet it will ever be earnestly looking out for the leavings of others. Thus the acts of the base-minded, though they are esteemed as honourable persons. will not correspond with their rank in life. 6. The worthy, though they have attained the wealth of the world, will at no time indulge in haughty speech, but if the mean have acquired the wealth of one cani ( part) added to one muntheri (i) they will regard themselves as great as Indra king of heaven. 7. Though the shoe be wrought with excellent gems set in the purest gold, yet it is intended for the foot of its owner. In like manner, though the meanminded be very rich, yet he will be found out by his deeds. 8. O lord of the fair and victorious land of mighty hills! the base man is mighty in speaking harsh words. He regards no one; laughs at the misery of others, grows more and more enraged and will continually reproach others. 9. O lord of the cool shores of the sea where the honey-producing Nay (a water-flower) grows, resounding with waves! if persons remain with them many days, the excellent will say, These are old friends, and will show kindness to them. whereas the base-minded will hate and revile them. 10. Though men take away the plucked-up grass from the bullock and give it to the heifer, and thus feed it up for many days, yet it will never be strong enough to be yoked to a cart. O king, hear! Though the base are very rich, yet their deeds will betray them. CHAPTER 36.-Baseness or Envy
1. Those who have knowledge bound up in their minds, though young in years, watch over, keep, and restrain themselves. The ignorant, though old in years, go on obstinately practising