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VAJJALAGGAM
90) Practice of moral virtue in a silent, unostentatious manner, display of valour in a public manner, avoidance of intimacy with women who are the wives of others and a morally untarnished life -all these are possible (or happen) (only) in the case of great men (, those who are destined to be great).
[90
9. The Section on the Energetic and Self-possessed
91) Those who commence difficult tasks without throwing themselves heart and soul into the tasks undertaken by them, and who look at the faces of others (for help)-how can they (ever) be successful?
92) Start quickly the work decided upon, and having once begun it do not slacken your efforts on it. For undertakings once started but slackened later on are not crowned with success again.
93) A person who leaves off in the middle a task already begun feels (or ought to feel)ashamed of,apart from other people, even the five material elements residing in his body (and of which his body is composed).
94) A good (self-respecting) person who has been reduced to poverty would rather resort to a forest than entreat another. He would not barter away the priceless jewel of self-respect, even though he may be standing on the threshold of death.
95) Oh proud lady, there are in this world only two courses open for people who are great because of their self-respect [i.e. for self-respecting people): either they will rise to prosperity or will be finished while wandering about (in a forest).
96) There are only two ways open for energetic, enterprising persons: either to attain to (the Goddess of) royal fortune with a delicate, lovely lotus (in her hand), or to turn recluse and go into exile.
97) Self-respecting, energetic people, when hard-pressed by serious calamity, would rather court death by pulling out the tongue, but they would never approach the wicked and utter helpless words of abject entreaty.
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