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MAXIMS FROM INDIAN WRITERS.
JULY, 1875.]
5. Mahabharata, xii. 529, 6641, and 9917. "As having nothing, and yet possessing all things." (2 Corinthians, vi. 10.)
How vast my wealth, what joy I taste, Who nothing own, and nought desire! Were this fair city wrapt in fire, The flame no goods of mine would waste.
6. Mahabharata, xi. 75. "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy, vi. 7.)
Wealth either leaves a man, O king!
Or else a man his wealth must leave. What sage for that event will grieve, Which time at length must surely bring?
9. Mahabharata, iii. 17401. "All men think all men mortal but themselves." (Young's Night Thoughts.)
Is not those men's delusion strange Who, while they see that every day So many sweeps from earth away, Can long themselves t' elude all change?
10. Dampatiśikshâ, 26: Praśnottara-ratnamâlâ, 15. Who are the really blind, deaf, and dumb? That man is blind whose inner eye Can nought beyond this world descry; And deaf the man on folly bent, On whom advice is vainly spent. The dumb are those who never seek To others gracious words to speak. Vriddha Châṇakya, xvii. 6; Subhashitârnava, 163. Men devout when in distress.
7. Mahabharata, xi. 75. The foolish discontented; the wise content. Though proudly swells their fortune's tide, Though evermore their hoards augment, Unthinking men are ne'er content: But wise men soon are satisfied.
8. Vriddha Chanakya, xiv. 6. Men should He only does not live in vain think on their end. Did men but always entertain
Those graver thoughts which sway the heart, When sickness comes, or friends depart, Who would not then redemption gain?
In trouble men the gods invoke ; When sick, submit to virtue's yoke; When lacking power to sin, are good; When poor, are humble, meek, subdued,
12. Sârngadhara's Paddhati, Dharmavivṛiti, 4. Improvement of time.
The sage will ne'er allow a day Unmarked by good to pass away; But waking up, will often ask, "Have I this day fulfilled my task? With this, with each day's setting sun, A part of my brief course is run."
13. Manu, ii. 238. A man may learn from the humblest.
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From whomsoever got, the wise
Accept with joy the pearl they prize.
To them the mean may knowledge teach, The lowliest lofty virtue preach. Such men will wed, nor view with scorn A lovely bride though humbly born. When sunlight fails, and all is gloom, A lamp will well the house illume.
14. Bhagavata Purâna, x. 22, 35. The proper aim of life.
Who all the means within his reach
Employs, his wealth, his thought, his speech T' advance the weal of other men.
15. Mahabharata, v. 1272; xii. 11023. Men are formed by their associates. As cloth is tinged by any dye
In which it long time plunged may lie; So those with whom he loves to live
To every man his colour give.
16. Hitopadesa, iv. Casting pearls before swine. He only threshes chaff who schools With patient kindness thoughtless fools. He writes on shifting sand who fain By favours worthless men would gain.
17. Subhashitârnava, 64. Heirs often spendthrifts. How many foolish heirs make haste The wealth their father saved, to waste! Who does not guard with care the pelf He long has toiled to hoard himself?
18. Mahabharata, xii. 12131. The rich hath many friends.
A rich man's kinsfolk while he thrives The part of kinsmen gladly play: The poor man's kindred die away Long e'er his day of death arrives.
