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Merits and Demerits
high merits. Mutually they consider one another as insignificant (men of straw), like people, dwelling on the top of mountains, (looking down) on people at the base and vice versa.
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901. Kings are not so self-conscious of their greatness in respect of the highly (accomplished) men of great merits, as they appear to be full of pride with other kings.
902. The more these virtues are not being valued and the more the vices are now to thrive, the more will the world be devoid of virtues (and values), since they (virtues) cease to command respect.
903. What of these (mortal) kings? The great (saintly) men who are left with no attachment, having, in their high thought, done away with all desire, stand up, with their loins girded up in firm courage, even against destiny.
904. Even when fate shows a slight (adverse) activity, low people break into pieces by their own movement, as if (they are) on a sharp edge (blade) of an iron wheel, like a piece of wood on a rotating saw.
905. The light of knowledge alone shows up the insignificance (visāraam) of bad minds, like the flash of lustre, which by itself white, (brings to light the blackishness) of black gems.
906. Because of their broadened hearts, thoughts of great men never become known out-side. Lamps, (shedding) mild rays, (roll and) reel about (with their lustre confined) within the big mansions.
907. Even with great (and powerful) lustre (viea) (which they possess ), the wishes (and thoughts) of great men do not fructify (or materialise). The flash of lightning dazzles the eyes by its mighty blaze.
908. Not that those who gather wealth themselves (on the strength of their merits) are not worthy of respect; but then, those, by whom poverty is (willingly) accepted, are some (rare and superior) men.
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909. Some do not reach (the stage of) praise; some (great men) are seen to be beyond any praise. Praise thus stands midway between some others (of low merits) and men highly respectable.
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