Sayings 51 to 100

51. Foolish men, though they be many, go directly into the power of the enemy. A whole herd of strong elephants can be subdued by one intelligent hare.

52. Riches without understanding are of little advantage, as the cow's milk can support the calf for but a limited time.

53. Foolish men who amass riches by all manners of wickedness, neglecting support of even their families, will soon die away like rats.

54. He who looks always to others for support will most certainly fail, as the tortoise that wanted to be carried by crows was eventually dropped to the ground.

55. Not to understand what is good and bad, not to remember a kindness one has received, not to marvel at what one has clearly perceived, these are the characteristics of a foolish man.

56. When the troops are advancing, he is in the rear; when they retire, he goes to the front; where there is food he endeavors by all means to partake; thus are the actions of a fool.

57. A mean fellow, though he be rich, is outdone by a little man of noble descent. When the hungry tiger uttered a deep sound, the monkey fell from the treetop.

58. A foolish man proclaims his qualifications, a wise man keeps them secret within. A straw floats on the surface of water, but a precious gem placed upon it sinks to the depths.

59. Those with little learning have great pride; grown wise, they are quiet. Torrents always make much noise, but it is seldom that the ocean roars.

60. It is always the low-minded men who speak disdainfully to the holy. Like the foxes which attack the lion, though he be their defender.

61. The generous, though angry, are gentle when one bows before them. The mean, yielded to, grow haughty. Gold and silver, though hard, may be melted. Dog's dung stinks when burned.

62. A wise man consists entirely of perfections. A fool has only his defects. With precious metals you may pay all your expenses. From a venomous serpent expect nothing but distress.

63. A wicked man, though he abides in a forest, is mean. A virtuous man, though he resides in a town, is serene. We see that a wild beast of the forest is fierce, but a fine horse in the town is gentle.

64. An excellent man reflects on his own faults alone. A bad man seeks only those of others. The peacock judges his own body, but a bat casts ill omens on others.

65. An excellent man, by his gentleness, preserves both himself and others. A bad man causes pain both to himself and to others by his harshness. A fruit tree nourishes both itself and others. A dry tree, by its stiffness, cumbers both itself and others.

66. As long as you have wealth, everyone is your friend; if your fortune declines, everyone is your foe. An island of precious metals is visited from afar; when a lake dries up, everyone leaves.

67. It is only by narrow-minded men that such distinctions are made as to friend and enemy. A liberal man is affectionate towards all, since it is uncertain who may yet be useful to him.

68. Learned men delight in knowledge; the ignorant do not. Honey bees resort to flowers; not so the fly.

69. A learned man is beautiful among learned men. How can the wise be understood by the fool? See how sandal-wood that is more precious than gold is by foolish people reduced to coal.

70. A wise man guides his own course of action; the fool follows another's direction. When an old dog barks, the others run, and this for no reason at all.

71. A wise man, though in decline, affords pleasure to others by his elegant sayings. A fool, grown violent, destroys himself and others through quarreling.

72. Some place perfection in speaking; others are silent and penetrate to the meaning. A stupid dog utters his first fear to the enemy; a cat catches a mouse without a sound.

73. When a virtuous man disputes, he benefits all. A fool causes damage even by his friendship. Though the gods be angry, they defend all sentient beings. The Lord of Death may smile, but still kills his enemies.

74. An excellent man, like precious metal, is in every respect invariable. A villain, like the beam of a balance, is always shifting up and down.

75. As long as one is modest, he is adorned with the chief quality. When modesty is gone, good qualities decrease, And ill rumor spreads about.

76. A virtuous man gives instructions without hypocrisy; if you ask a villain, he will misinform you. Though you slight a Bodhisattva, he is merciful, though you bestow praise on the Lord of Death, he is still your destruction.

77. What is helpful to one may cause another pain. As when the moon rises, the evening flowers open, the lotuses close.

78. Though by wicked acts one may reach one's aim, a wise man never resorts to such means. The wise are not ashamed if they do not reach their goal, provided they have righteously endeavored for it.

79. It is difficult to cause dissension among the virtuous, but it is easy to reconcile them. Low people can easily be separated, but with difficulty reconciled. See what a difference there is between the sandal-tree and the coal made of its wood.

80. Though a virtuous man decline for awhile, like the increasing moon, he rises again. If a low man once is decayed, he will be extinguished like a lamp.

81. Wealth to a low man is a cause of pride; to a virtuous man, it is that of humbleness. The fox, when he has filled his belly, behaves proudly; the lion, when full, takes his repose.

82. A virtuous prince shows more affection to his subjects when he finds them his enemies. A mother is more grieved when her child is sick.

83. A good person, if he associates with a bad man, will be infected thereby. Pure water, though very pleasing to the taste, when it reaches the sea, smacks of the brine.

84. If a low-principled man keeps company with a Holy man, his manners become like those of the sage. See what a fragrant scent the person gives off who has anointed himself with musk.

85. Mount Sumeru cannot be moved by any creature; so too the excellent man stands firm. Just as a small piece of cotton is easily moved, so the practice of a low-minded man changes greatly.

86. As the laughing voice of the night-bird is an ill omen, is not born of joy, so the gracious speech of a cunning man arises from self-interest.

87. If a successful man grows too famous, though he endures for a while, he will at last be destroyed. The ass, covered with a leopard skin, may eat one field of corn, but will be slain by the farmer next door.

88. Those who have chosen a wicked man for their leader, or those who dwell in a house whose roof is decayed, or under a rock whose summit threatens to fall, are in continual fear.

89. If a man is by nature wicked, avoid him even though he is learned. Although a venomous serpent has a gem on his head, what wise man would take him into his heart?

90. By arrogance, good qualities are diminished. By lust, modesty is destroyed. By a continual railing at his disciples, the master loses his authority.

91. It is rare to find one who can give good counsel. It is more rare to find one who listens to advice. It is difficult to find an expert physician. Fewer still will take his medicine.

92. Judge not before you have examined. It often happens that an upright man, if he loses his cause, is thought to be a knave. He that acts with discretion has many enemies.

93. In whatever manner you fashion a wicked man, it is impossible to make his nature good. You may wash charcoal with zeal, but you will not make it white.

94. An ill-principled man, who is fond of riches, is not of firm mind, though he may be a friend. There are many that have been destroyed by taking bribes from the powerful.

95. It is easy to overcome those enemies that announce their plans; but how are those to be subdued who advise a salutary retreat?

96. If we should be chosen as ruler, it is unlikely that we would know what to do. We may look on others with our own eyes, but we need a mirror to see ourselves.

97. Though there are many kings, there are few who govern with righteousness. Though there are many gods in the heavens, none shines brighter than the sun or the moon.

98. He that can do mischief can also do good. A crowned monarch can rule as a tyrant or bestow his kingdom on another.

99. Under the rule of an upright, intelligent minister, both the sovereign and the subjects can be contented. An arrow shot by a skillful archer strikes its mark.

100. When many work together for a goal, great things may be accomplished. It is said a lion cub was killed by a single colony of ants.

 

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