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76. SECTION ON VIRTUES
even to) a host of village-headmen or a throng of wicked people. He gives battle even while standing firm in his position, and acquires fame in every place.
683) People from the kingdom, first captured and then released, contribute to she glory and greatness (prestige) of kings. The arrow remains where it is. But the mere twang of the bowstring is able to kill, down to the root (i.e. completely.)
684) Virtuous, in this world of mortals, is the combination of the ocean and the submarine fire, who are intent upon <extinguishing and drying up each other and in whose case the burning of the fire in the heart of the ocean is unkown to either.
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76. The Section on Virtues
685) If a man has no virtues (good, amiable, noble qualities), what avails his noble (exalted) family? For a virtuous man, noble family has no use (or advantage). In the case of persons devoid of good qualities, even a spotless family constitutes a great stigma (disgrace).
686) Foolish are those people, who, devoid of good (amiable) qualities, pride themselves on their noble (exalted) family. Even though a bow may be made out of bamboo, if it is devoid of the string there is no twang produced by it.
687) Birth (in exalted family) does not lead to greatness; but cultivation of numerous virtues by a man leads him to greatness. It is a pearl that possesses real greatness and not the pair of shells in which it is produced.
688) The mother-of-pearl is extremly rough, but in it is born a gem (pearl) which is priceless. What avails birth in noble family? Faults (draw-backs, short-comings) are wiped out by virtues.
Jain Education International
689) People say what they know (to be true), namely that there is a very great contrast (disparity) between riches and virtues. Riches are obtained by means of virtues, but virtues are not obtained by means of riches.
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