Behold the men who are slothful and who turn not their hand to any noble undertakings: they will listen to much reproof and contumely.
If sloth find a home in a family, the family will soon be in bondage to its foes.
The afflictions that may have befallen a man’s family will cease to exist the moment he giveth up sloth.
Behold the prince that knoweth not sloth: he will bring within his sway all that hath been measured by the steps of Trivikrama.28
LXII
Manly Exertion
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Shrink not from any work saying, It is impossible: for labour will give thee the strength to achieve everything.
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Beware of leaving any work unfinished: for the world careth not for those that do not complete the work that they have once begun.
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The proud pleasure of being able to serve all men belongeth only to the greatness that shrinketh not from any exertion.
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Like unto a sword in the hands of a eunuch is the liberality of the indolent man: it will not endure.
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The man who loveth not pleasure but loveth work is a pillar of strength unto his friends and will wipe away their tears of grief.
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Industry is the mother of Prosperity: but Indolence only bringeth forth Misery.
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In sloth hath the Genius of Wretchedness her home: but the Lotus-born One29 resideth in the labour of him who yieldeth not to sloth.
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It is no shame if fortune faileth a man but it is a disgrace if he abstain deliberately from exertion.
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Even though the Gods be against, Industry is bound to pay the wages of labour.
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They will snap their fingers even at Destiny who succumb not to it but labour unremittingly in despite of it.
LXIII
Intrepidity in the Face of Misfortune
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When thou meetest with misfortune face it with thy best smile: for there is nothing like a smile to enable a man to hold his own against it.
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A whole sea of troubles will abase themselves the moment a shifty mind collecteth itself to face them.
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Troubles they send away troubled who trouble not themselves at the sight of troubles.
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Behold the man who is prepared to strain his every nerve like the bull-buffalo to wade through every difficulty: he may meet with obstacles but he will send them away disappointed.
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Behold the man whose heart sinketh not even at a whole host of troubles arrayed against him: the obstacles in his path have themselves met with an obstacle.
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The men that exult not at good fortune, can they ever fret themselves saying, Alas! we are ruined?
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The wise know that the body is a target unto misfortune: and so they worry themselves not when they meet with a calamity.
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Behold the man who loveth not pleasure and who knoweth that difficulties are a part of the law of things: he smarteth not ever under any check.
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The man who runneth not after pleasure in the day of success suffereth not pain in the day of failure.
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Behold the man who looketh upon the stress and strain of exertion as a veritable joy: he will be extolled by his very enemies.
Section II
The Members of the Body Politic
LXIV
The Councillor of State
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Behold the man who judgeth aright the ways and means of achieving great enterprises and the proper season to commence them: he is the proper man for the Council.
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Study, resolution, manly exertion, and loving attention to the welfare of the people, these four make along with the last the five qualifications of the Councillor.
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He is the able minister who possesseth the capacity to disunite allies, to cherish and keep up existing friendships, and to reunite those who have become enemies.
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Judgment in the choice of projects and the means of their execution, and positiveness in the expression of opinion are necessary qualities in the Councillor.
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Behold the man who knoweth the law and aboundeth in instruction, is deliberate in his speech and always understandeth what is fit for each occasion: he is the Councillor for thee.
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What is there that is too subtle for men who add knowledge of books unto natural intelligence?
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Even though thou art wise in thy knowledge of books, gather thou the wisdom of experience and act in accordance therewith.
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The prince may be a fool and may thwart him at every step: but the duty of the Councillor is always to point to him what is just and proper.
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Behold the minister that sitteth in the Council and plotteth the ruin of his prince: he is more dangerous than seven hundred million enemies.
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The irresolute may even plan perfectly: but they will waver in the course of the execution and will never accomplish their designs.
LXV
Eloquence
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The blessing of the tongue is a blessing indeed: for it is a blessing apart and formeth not part of other blessings.
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Death and life are in the power of the tongue: guard thou therefore against imprudence of speech.
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Behold the speech that bindeth friends more closely and fascinateth even enemies: that alone is worthy of its name.
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Weigh each circumstance aright and then speak the speech that is fit: for the increase of righteousness and profit there is no other thing of more worth to thee than it.
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Speak thou the speech that cannot be silenced by any other speech.
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To speak so as to captivate one’s own hearers and to seize the sense in the words of others, that is the part of the consummate statesman.
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Behold the man who is eloquent of speech and knoweth neither confusion nor fear: it is impossible for anyone to beat him in debate.
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Behold the men whose speech is well ordered and couched in persuasive language: the world will be at their beck and call.
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Verily they have a passion for much speaking who know not to say their mind in few and well chosen words.
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Behold the men who cannot expound unto others the knowledge that they have acquired: they are like unto the flower that blossometh but giveth forth no fragrance.
