Sayings 201 to 234

201. How is it possible to fail in your affairs, as long as you act with discretion? If a clear-sighted man walks discreetly, will he not avoid the precipice?

202. The more you desire to be exalted, the more you should endeavor to be useful to others. Those who wish to apply make-up first clean the looking-glass.

203. If you endeavor to conquer an enemy, exert all your good qualities. See how they are confounded who watch their enemy prepare his weapons.

204. It is impossible in this world To obtain your wish through abuse. Though selfish in your mind, be affable to all in speaking.

205. Using harsh and gentle means matters not if our concern be for the welfare of others. The Buddha has not called it craftiness to employ wise means in our actions.

206. When a prudent man hangs down his head, the fault falls on the one who abuses. When a candle is held downwards, it burns the hand of the holder.

207. Each thing should be placed according to its proper use. A hat is not worn on the feet, and shoes do not make good hats.

208. When doing important work, find a good associate. If you wish to burn a forest, you need the aid of the wind.

209. Do not be grieved if you are poor, or be elated with joy if you are rich. Rather, consider the consequences of your deeds.

210. One who pays homage to another teacher when the Buddha, patron of men, lives near, is like a man who digs a well on the bank of a clear-flowing river.

211. Actions to which we are well accustomed pose no difficulty. As we have learned well our worldly skills, so we may practice virtues without difficulty.

212. For a man who is contented with little, Wealth is inexhaustible. He who continually seeks and is never satisfied will experience a constant rain of sorrow.

213. Give the goods you have received to others, according to their need. Like the bee's honey, all hoarded treasures are eventually enjoyed by others.

214. If you lend money, it is uncertain whether you shall be repaid; but if you bestow alms, though they be small, your return will be a hundred-fold.

215. Fearing his family's impoverishment, a narrow-minded man anxiously hoards what little he has. A wise man, hoping for a good position, bestows his alms on others, like bribes.

216. Though children are loved by their parents, they do not return love with respect. After parents have long cherished their children, they are despised when they grow old.

217. Those who have become the slaves of the world run after riches at the price of destruction. The wise man, though he obtains wealth, is contented to give it to others.

218. If you would fight an enemy who harms you, then subdue your own passions. Thus, you shall be perfectly free from harm; for it is on account of your passions that from the beginning you have been wandering in the world.

219. If you wish to destroy all your enemies, you never shall find the end of killing. But if you can subdue your own desire, every enemy is at once destroyed.

220. If you are angry with powerful and malicious men, you will only hurt yourself. What reason is there to be angry With the virtuous and the wise?

221. Herbs which grow in the same garden are dispersed by the wind in the ten directions. Men who are born together are separated by the effects of their deeds.

222. If you earnestly desire your own welfare, first seek that of others. He that seeks only his own benefit will not succeed in his purpose.

223. A foolish man who will not learn believes everything a miracle. A wise man, having studied, admires all, and, though grown old, acquires knowledge for his future birth.

224. The fool seeks not to acquire knowledge, having no mind for understanding. For this very reason, he should endeavor to improve his understanding.

225. One that has not gained knowledge in his former birth is ignorant in the present life. He who fears ignorance in his next life, must study assiduously in this one.

226. "Meditate! There is no need to learn by instructions," says the shallow-minded fool. Contemplation without previous instruction, though diligently pursued, is the way of the beast.

227. It is by the perfection of wisdom that omniscience differs from common knowledge. How would this infallible doctrine be true, if, without learning, one could become all-knowing? In the same garden the wind in the ten directions, together the effects of their deeds.

228. Meditation without hearing, though it succeeds for a while, will soon fail. You may melt gold and silver, but, taken from the fire, they harden anew.

229. Though a literary work is excellent, he that lacks understanding will not appreciate it. Though an ornament of gold beset with jewels is beautiful, would an ox look closely upon it?

230. Know well what is true, that which is expressed in the elegant sayings of learned men. If you do not understand and practice these, of what use are other studies?

231. Though an intelligent man knows much by himself, he studies the texts of a learned teacher. Though precious metal is very fine, its value greatly increases after it has been cast.

232. Though there be many forests, sandalwood grows only in rare places. Though there be many learned men, elegant sayings are seldom found.

233. The qualities of gold and silver are seen when they are melted. An elephant's goodness appears when he enters the field of battle. A learned man may be judged by his composition of elegant sayings.

234. He that is acquainted with the manners of the world will exercise true religion. He that practices virtue is the living biography of a saint.

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