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The Eulogy of Poets
72. Even the pure-minded, alas, feel a pang (of jealousy ) in their hearts at (the praise of) a good man's merits, which perhaps, is analogous to the pain (of tuskers ) in their tusks caused by impact of the moon's rays !
73. For those to whom condemnation made by unequals is of the same value as their appreciation, words of deprecation spoken by them cause no dejection.
74. Great men should rejoice in the eulogistic appreciation of their own merits, without caring to observe the shadow ( of bitterness darkening) other's faces, while the blush on their own faces (on account of praise ) is being noticed by them, being thrown off the balance of their minds tormented) by their own (guilty ) conduct.
75. Most men, possessed as they are of ordinary intelligence, hail poets (of mediocre talent ); hence is it, indeed, that mediocre poets have (undeservedly) gained the fame (of great poets).
76. Merit in others, as small as an atom even, captivates the good man, who finds no satisfaction in his own (outstanding) merit. This and this much is the sum and substance of character and judgment ( discrimination ).
77. Merits of great men, which first hold (their hearts ) fast in their grip, later shine (in their reflection ) in others, like the rays of the moon which first fall on mountain-tops before ( spreading) on the earth.
78. Trying to accomplish the good and the beautiful, everything becomes all the more beautiful; some such thing happens in their case, too, so much so that they themselves feel greatly astonished.
79. With merits by the side (to lean upon ), one may fee egoistic; but how can a fellow (be so egoistic ) in the absence of merits ? People who cherish ( acquisition of) merits allow some (amount of) pride based on merits, which, however, must not result in ( snobbish ) intoxication.
80. With reference to whom, expecting him to be the second, should jealousy throb, when ( we find that ) these great ones are already established in their unique, solitary position, rising (head and shoulders ) above the common man ?
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