BOOK OF WISE SAYINGS

1.

The enemies which rise within the body, hard to be overcome—thy evil passions—should manfully be fought: he who conquers these is equal to the conquerors of worlds.

Bhāravi.

2.

If passion gaineth the mastery over reason, the wise will not count thee amongst men.

Firdausī.

3.

Knowledge is destroyed by associating with the base; with equals equality is gained, and with the distinguished, distinction.

Hitopadesa.

4.

Dost thou desire that thine own heart should not suffer, redeem thou the sufferer from the bonds of misery.

Sa’dī.

5.

To friends and eke to foes true kindness show;

No kindly heart unkindly deeds will do;

Harshness will alienate a bosom friend.

And kindness reconcile a deadly foe.

Omar Khayyām.

6.

There is no greater grief in misery than to turn our thoughts back to happier times.*

Dante.

* Cf. Goldsmith:
O Memory! thou fond deceiver,

Still importunate and vain;

To former joys recurring ever,

And turning all the past to pain.

7.

We in reality only know when we doubt a little. With knowledge comes doubt.

Goethe.

8.

In the hour of adversity be not without hope, for crystal rain falls from black clouds.

Nizāmī.

9.

One common origin unites us all, but every sort of wood does not give the perfume of the lignum aloes.

Arabic.

10.

I asked an experienced elder who had profited by his knowledge of the world, “What course should I pursue to obtain prosperity?” He replied, “Contentment—if you are able, practise contentment.”

Selman.

11.

Every moment that a man may be in want of employment, than such I hold him to be far better who is forced to labour for nothing.

Afghan.

12.

The foolish undertake a trifling act, and soon desist, discouraged; wise men engage in mighty works, and persevere.

Māgha.

13.

Those who wish well towards their friends disdain to please them with words which are not true.

Bhāravi.

14.

Reason is captive in the hands of the passions, as a weak man in the hands of an artful woman.

Sa’dī.

15.

Like an earthen pot, a bad man is easily broken, and cannot readily be restored to his former situation; but a virtuous man, like a vase of gold, is broken with difficulty, and easily repaired.

Hitopadesa.

16.

The son who delights his father by his good actions; the wife who seeks only her husband’s good; the friend who is the same in prosperity and adversity—these three things are the reward of virtue.

Bhartrihari.

17.

Let us not overstrain our abilities, or we shall do nothing with grace. A clown, whatever he may do, will never pass for a gentleman.

La Fontaine.

18.

To abstain from speaking is regarded as very difficult. It is not possible to say much that is valuable and striking.*

Mahābhārata.

* Cf. James, III, 8.

19.

Pagodas are, like mosques, true houses of prayer;

’Tis prayer that church bells waft upon the air;

Kaaba and temple, rosary and cross,

All are but divers tongues of world-wide prayer.

Omar Khayyām.

20.

In no wise ask about the faults of others, for he who reporteth the faults of others will report thine also.

Firdausī.