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MAY, 1876.]
MAXIMS FROM THE MAHABHARATA.
4. Machiavellian counsel. i. 5563 and xii. 5264.
Whilst thou dost watch thy chance, with seeming care
Thy mortal foe upon thy shoulder bear; Then down to earth thy hated burden dash, As men against the rocks an earthen vessel smash.
5. Poverty lends relish to food. v. 1144. The poor man daintier fare enjoys
Than e'er his wealthy neighbours taste; For hunger lends his food a zest, While plenty pampered palates cloys.
6. The Divine Sovereignty (compare St. Matt. xi. 25). v. 916f. The Lord all creatures' fortunes rules: None, weak or strong, his might defies; He makes the young and simple wise; The wise and learn'd he turns to fools.
7. Loss of Virtue the only real loss. v. 1289. Thy virtue guard at any cost. Wealth none can trust; it comes and goes; The good survive misfortune's blows; But virtue lost, and all is lost.
3. Ill-gotten gains fuil to benefit. v. 1251f. When men unjustly-gotten gains Employ unsightly rents to hide, Each ancient rent unveiled remains, While new ones gape on every side.
9. Good to be drawn from everything. v. 1125. From madmen's ravings, e'en, the wise, And children's prattlings, good may gain: As workmen skilled extract the vein Of gold in rocks that bedded lies.
10. Evil Men to be avoided. v. 1164. Let good men ne'er with bad themselves ally : Whene'er a friendly bond the two unites, The guiltless share the doom the knaves that smites: Moist wood takes fire and burns when mixed with dry.
11. Honest Advice. v. 1348f. Bland courtly men are found with ease Who utter what they know will please;
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But honest men are far to seek, Who bitter truths and wholesome speak. So, too, those thoughtful men are rare Who blunt and sound advice can bear. A prince's best ally is he,The man from servile truckling free,Who faithful counsel gives, nor fears With truth to wound his patron's ears,Not he who spares him present pain At certain cost of future bane.
12. The tongue can no man tame." (James iii. 8.) v. 1170.
'Tis very hard to curb the tongue : Yet all this needful power should seek; For who much useful truth can speak, Or charm with brilliant converse long?
13. Study beforehand the consequences of action. v. 1112.
If I now take this step, what next ensues? Should I forbear, what must I then expect? Thus, ere he acts, a man should well reflect; And weighing both the sides, his course should choose.
14. Means do not always lead to the desired ends. xii. 831.
Friends cannot always bring us bliss, Nor foes suffice to work us ill; Wealth is not always gained by skill; And rich men oft enjoyment miss.
15. The best remedy for grief. xi. 184. Nor valour, wealth, nor yet a band
Of friends, can bring such sure relief To mortals overwhelmed with grief, As strong and steadfast self-command.
16. The wise superior to circumstances. xi. 67. No day arrives but, as it flies,
Of fear a hundred sources brings, Of grief a thousand bitter springs, To vex-the fool, but not the wise.
17. Marks of a wise man. V. 993. The men too high who never aim,
For things once lost who never mourn, By troubles ne'er are overborne,Such men the praise of wisdom claim.
