Chapter 6

It is the character of a simpleton to be a bore. A man of sense sees at once whether he is welcome or tiresome; he knows to withdraw the moment that precedes that in which he would be in the least in the way.

_La Bruyère._

580.

The man of first rate excellence is virtuous in spite of instruction; he of the middle class is so after instruction; the lowest order of men are vicious in spite of instruction.

_Chinese._

581.

Not to attend at the door of the wealthy, and not to use the voice of petition--these constitute the best life of a man.

_Hitopadesa._

582.

What a man can do and suffer is unknown to himself till some occasion presents itself which draws out the hidden power. Just as one sees not in the water of an unruffled pond the fury and roar with which it can dash down a steep rock without injury to itself, or how high it is capable of rising; or as little as one can suspect the latent heat in ice-cold water.

_Schopenhauer._

583.

Comprehensive talkers are apt to be tiresome when we are not athirst for information; but, to be quite fair, we must admit that superior reticence is a good deal due to lack of matter. Speech is often barren, but silence also does not necessarily brood over a full nest. Your still fowl, blinking at you without remark, may all the while be sitting on one addled nest-egg; and, when it takes to cackling, will have nothing to announce but that addled delusion.

_George Eliot._

584.

The sage who engages in controversy with ignorant people must not expect to be treated with honour; and if a fool should overpower a philosopher by his loquacity it is not to be wondered at, for a common stone will break a jewel.

_Sa'dí._

585.

Success is like a lovely woman, wooed by many men, but folded in the arms of him alone who, free from over-zeal, firmly persists and calmly perseveres.

_Bháravi._

586.

A feverish display of over-zeal, At the first outset, is an obstacle To all success; water, however cold, Will penetrate the ground by slow degrees.

_Hitopadesa._

587.

Treat no one with disdain; with patience bear Reviling language; with an angry man Be never angry; blessings give for curses.[31]

_Manu._

[31] Cf. Matt. V, II, 44.

588.

E'en as a traveller, meeting with the shade Of some o'erhanging tree, awhile reposes, Then leaves its shelter to pursue his way, So men meet friends, then part with them for ever.

_Hitopadesa._

589.

Single is every living creature born, Single he passes to another world, Single he eats the fruit of evil deeds, Single, the fruit of good; and when he leaves His body, like a log or heap of clay, Upon the ground, his kinsmen walk away: Virtue alone stays by him at the tomb, And bears him through the dreary, trackless gloom.

_Manu._

INDEX.

Abilities, 17.

Absent friend, 496.

Abuse of the great, 398.

Actions to be avoided, 570.

Actor, man an, 37.

Admonition, friendly, 553.

Advance step by step, 131.

Adversity, 8, 30, 57, 78, 175, 184, 185, 330, 366, 393, 477, 576, 577.

Advice, 82, 172, 193, 443.

Affectation, 87.

Age should be indulgent, 464.

Age, reverence for, 484.

Agreeableness, 258, 296.

Alms-giving, pride in, 318.

Ambition, petty, 165.

Amusements necessary, 111.

Ancestry, boast of, 239, 240, 385, 395, 493.

Angel, brute, man, 199.

Anger, 117, 119, 130.

Angry man, 518, 587.

Annoyances, 387.

Anxiety, needless, 298.

Apparel, 418.

Arrogance, 267.

Arts, mothers of the, 540.

Associates to be avoided, 571.

Associates, wicked, 215.

Associations, 542.

Attributes of hand, head, etc., 513.

Authority, 151, 452, 561.

Avarice, 38, 310, 364, 382, 481.

Bad men, 15, 351.

Beauty, 100, 179, 295, 565.

Beginning, etc., 383.

Behaviour, 430.

Beloved, best, 406.

Beneficence, 4, 5, 191, 485.

Benefits, 312, 345.

"Bless those that curse you," 587.

Blockhead in fine clothes, 465.

Blockhead, lively, 562.

Boastfulness, 248.

Bodily and mental qualities, 204.

Body, the soul's tent, 272.

Books, 96, 195, 196, 197, 252, 283, 550.

Bores, 579.

Borrowing, 429.

Braying men, 554.

Business, do your own, 564.

Calmness, 361.

Capacities of men, 32.

Caution in changing, 131.

Character, portraying, 160.

Character, test of men, 109.

Charity, 94.

Cheerfulness, 302, 391.

Children, 379.

Circumstances, 67.

Clever men, 86.

Companions, 450.

Conduct, best, 214.

Confidence, 268.

Consolation, 346.

Constancy of friends, 366.

Contemporaries' approval, 156.

Contentment, 10, 52, 101, 135, 334, 471, 538.

Contrasts in life, 502.

Controversy with ignorant men, 584.

Conversation, 71.

Daily cares and duties, 503.

Dangers reconcile foes, 274.

Death, 26, 138, 461.

Deception, 243.

Deeds and words, 445.

Delusions, 441.

Deportment, 206.

Derision of superiority, 521.

Designs, 315, 405, 466.

Difficulties, 425.

Diligence, 189, 428.

Discontent, 222, 520.

Distinctions, invidious, 557.

"Do unto others," etc., 372.

Doctrine entering the ear only, 285.

Dog's tail, 373.

Doubt, 7.

Dreams, 388, 389.

Dull minds, 278.

Ears and tongue, 273.

Eat moderately, 572.

Education and morals, 348.

Eminence, 563.

Employment, want of, 11.

Empty things, 410.

Endurance, 582.

Energy, 95, 149.

Enjoyments, alloyed, 352, 353.

Envy, 124, 168, 271, 343, 375, 525.

Equality of men, 234.

Errors in judgment, 64.

Evil men reformed, 68.

Evil not to be returned, 413.

Evil plotters, 162, 569.

Evil speaking, 321.

Excellence and mediocrity, 60.

Exertion, 134, 263, 468, 510.

Expenditure, 176, 247, 511.

Experience, 36.

Faculties of men limited, 120.

Faith not to be forced, 408.

Falsehood, 341.

Fame of good and evil deeds, 277.

Fame, worldly, 34, 158.

Familiarity with the great, 255.

Fancy, charm of, 514.

Fashions, old, despised, 169.

Fate and wishes, 376.

Fate and youth, 122.

Fathers and sons, 519.

Faults, 20, 39, 41, 198, 219, 269, 347.

Favours, conferring, 317.

Fear, 339.

Feeble characters, 446.

Feeling, sudden transitions of, 127.

Flattery, 13, 250, 251, 323, 459, 528.

Foes and friends, 84.

Foibles, men's, 322.

Follies, 97.

Folly's reward, 567.

Fools, 108, 166, 181, 265, 415, 465, 541, 561, 574.

Forgiveness, 329, 344.

Fortune, 56, 173, 233, 249, 262, 276, 536, 552.

Friends, 16, 98, 174, 432, 458, 478, 496, 544, 547, 588.

Friendship, 24, 116, 309, 330, 346, 477.

Frugality, 316.

Generosity, 140.

Genius dull in society, 534.

Gifts, 80, 456, 529.

Giving, manner of, 354, 483.

God, the best friend, 79.

Gold beautifies, 422, 427.

Golden mean, 21.

Good, doing, 110, 136, 137, 145, 209.

Good for evil, 25, 311.

Good and bad men falling, 297.

Good man, 15, 288.

Good man's intellect, 89.

Good name, 29, 289.

Goodness, 73, 153, 238.

Good son, 16.

Good wife, 16.

Good words, 457.

Good work undone, 35.

Gratitude, 317.

Great men, intercourse with, 177.

Great souls, qualities of, 78.

Greed, 447.

Grief, useless, 207, 324.

Griefs, secret, 300, 378, 394.

Grossness, 303.

Guilty men, 386.

Handicraft, 451.

Happiness, 58, 66, 70, 187, 253, 262, 311, 337, 363, 367, 406, 523.

Harsh words, 192.

Hatred, 123, 447, 549.

Health, 52.

Heart, 62, 79, 129, 132, 545.

Hearts and beauty, 179.

Heaven's gate, 543.

Hero, 406.

Hoary head, 416.

Home, 253, 406, 523.

Humility, 150, 157.

Husband, 161, 401, 490.

Hypocrisy, 403.

Idleness, 424.

Ignorance, 103, 198, 199, 290, 301, 355, 431.

Imitativeness, 404.

Impudence, 374.

Increase, by degrees, 460.

Independence, 581.

Indiscreet men, 85.

Inherent badness, 373.

Injury rebounds, 126.

Injury unjustifiable, 407, 413.

Insignificance, man's individual, 308.

Instruction, 580.

Irresolution, 294.

Judge things by their merit, 196.

Judgments, how formed, 259.

Kindness, 4, 5, 54, 92, 129, 305, 306, 311, 344.

Kinsmen and strangers, 91.

Knowledge, 3, 7, 43, 55, 201, 205, 218, 225, 286, 307, 355, 396, 397, 416, 454, 508, 546.

Labour, 275, 429, 453, 506.

Laughter, 47, 163, 186.

Law, 463.

Law and physic, 167.

Learning, 40, 43, 143, 342, 449, 479, 491, 504, 509.

Liars, 246.

Liberality, 93, 94, 140, 241, 449, 498.

Life, 23, 83, 125, 133, 144, 235, 287, 326, 365, 461, 502, 535, 539.

Loquacity, 182, 301, 359, 583.

Loss, greatest, 406.

Losses half felt, 216.

Love, 314.

Low-minded men, 485.

Man, an actor, 37.

Man an intellectual animal, 128.

Mankind, knowledge of, 369.

"Many cooks," etc., 437.

Marriage, 333.

Mean, the golden, 21.

Mediocrity and excellence, 60.

Memory, 414.

Men, difficult to know, 33.

Men like ships, 409.

Mental faculties, limited, 120.

Mental offspring, 417.

Mental and bodily qualifications, 204.

Merit, innate, 433.

Merit, true and false, 242.

Merit without praise, 104.

Middling fortune, 536.

Mind, 115, 226, 229, 270, 279.

Misanthropy, 336.

Miser, 481.

Misery, 357.

Mistakes, 72.

Modesty, 159, 282, 436, 522, 548.

Money, 188, 190, 368, 573.

Mothers' greatest joy, 566.

Morning, lesson of the, 139.

Nature praises the Creator, 512.

Neighbour, every man one's, 442.

Neighbours and companions, 450.

Night, silence of, 266.

Noble birth, 434.

Noble-minded men, 485.

Novel-reading, 475.

Obliging others, 426.

Old age, 439, 484.

Old and new things, 196.

Old man, 65.

Opportunities, 185, 420.

Oppression, 191.

Origin, one common, 9.

Outward perfection, 499.

Parents' affection, 154.

Parsimony, 316.

Passionate man, 74.

Passions, 1, 2, 119, 280, 447.

Past, present and future, 326.

Patience, 42, 118, 135, 185, 207, 476.

Peace, greatest, 406.

Personal troubles, 31.

Personation, 102.

Physic and law, 167.

"Physician, heal thyself," 421.

Pity, 124.

Place, things out of, 237.

Plagiarism, 96.

Plans, miscarried, 327.

Pleasure, 337.

Pleasure and pain, 353.

Pleasure in others' welfare, 350.

Poesy, 260.

Poetaster, 217.

Potter and clay, 377.

Popular opinion, 76.

Poverty, 44, 105, 121, 208, 245, 410, 422, 472.

Praise and censure, 88, 104, 500, 501.

Praise, how to merit, 130.

Prayer, universal, 19.

Prefaces to books, 550.

Prejudices, 551.

Premature actions, 264.

Premature death, 122.

Present affairs, 462.

Present good despised, 213.

Presents, 80, 456, 529.

Pretence, 102.

Pride, 107, 157, 159, 291, 338, 492, 497.

Pride in religious works, 318.

Profitable thing, 406.

Progress, 487.

Projects, 315, 405, 466.

Promises, broken, 28.

Prosperity, 10, 30, 56, 93, 175, 224, 350, 393, 477.

Providence, 320.

Purpose without power, 146.

Pursuits, 203.

Rabble among gentry, 358.

Rashness, 473, 559.

Reality, 546.

Reason, 14, 299, 559.

Reckless life reformed, 68.

Regrets, useless, 298, 486.

Remorse, 220.

Reprehension, 75.

Reproof, harsh, 553.

Resignation, 538.

Resolution, 12, 263.

Respect, hatred, pity, 123.

Restraint, 141.

Reticence, 18, 586.

Reviling to be borne, 587.

Riches, 148, 187, 210, 281, 400, 401, 470, 471, 536.

Ridiculous, cause of the, 292.

Righteousness, 443.

Romances, 419.

Salvation, 257.

Sea-margins of thought, 516.

Secrets, 99, 221, 288, 489, 505.

Seeming to be more than one is, 390.

Self-conceit, 112.

Self-conquest, 223.

Self-contemning, 578.

Self-control, 280.

Self-depreciation, 282.

Self-dissatisfaction, 46.

Self-judging, 524.

Self-knowledge, 152, 261.

Self-love, 142, 370.

Self-palliation, 467.

Self-praises, 412.

Self-reliance, 115.

Self-seeking men, 338.

Self-valuation, 328.

Sensuality, 423.

Serve from lowest station upwards, 335.

Shadows of the mind, 226.

Shame, 90, 256, 374.

Silence, 22, 180, 244, 254, 438, 444, 465, 474, 556.

Simpletons, bores, 579.

Simplicity, 435, 488, 568.

Sin, repeated, 170, 448.

Single are we born, etc., 589.

Slander, 69, 412, 560.

Smatterers, 384.

Society, 27, 258, 537.

Son, good, 16.

Sorrows, 6, 50, 61, 185, 381.

Sparing and spending, 511.

Speech, 180, 254, 438, 474.

Strangers and kinsmen, 91.

Stupidity, 515.

Style in writing, 284.

Subtle and dull minds, 278.

Subtle-witted men, 278.

Success, 149, 183, 578, 583.

Successes, unexpected, 53.

Suffering, 147.

Superiority, 57, 527.

Superstition, 356.

Sweep your own doorstep, 507.

Sympathy, 371.

Taciturnity, 244, 526, 583.

Talents and character, 576.

Talkativeness, 182, 301, 359, 583.

Temperance, 380.

Temptation, 106.

Things good and bad, 59.

Things long desired, 392.

Things to be guarded against, 155.

Things universally valued, 399.

Think before speaking, 474.

Thorns and roses, 331.

Thought, 114, 402, 516.

Time, 79, 113, 325, 360.

Titles of books, 283.

To-day and to-morrow, 530, 531.

Toil and pleasure, 349.

Tongue and ears, 273.

Trials, 51.

Troubles, 202.

Truth, lovers of, 246.

Truth and severity, 332.

Undertakings of the careless, 313.

Universe, lessons of the, 48.

Vacant mind, 229.

Valour, 449.

Vanity, cure of, 494.

Vaticination, 462.

Vices, 304, 340.

Vicissitudes, 584.

Virtue, 532, 589.

Vociferation, 361.

Voice, the human, 455.

Weak and strong men, 236.

Wealth, 77, 115, 148, 187, 210, 267, 400, 440, 449.

Wicked associates, 215.

Wicked, unstable, 411.

Wickedness, odious in the learned, 469.

Wife, 16, 161, 194, 200, 231, 232, 401, 406.

Wisdom, 171, 482, 584.

Wise men, 131, 227, 265, 533, 584.

Wish, father to the thought, 212.

Wishes, vain, 486.

Wishes and powers, 293.

Wit and fancy, 555.

Wit and wisdom, 362, 558.

Woman, 45, 164, 178, 230, 495, 509, 517.

Words cannot be recalled, 228.

Words, harsh, 192.

Words without deeds, 211.

World, a beautiful book, 49.

Worldly fame and pleasure, 34, 158.

Worst thing, 406.

Wretched not to be mocked, 63.

Writings, like dishes, books, like beauty, 96.

Years, early, misspent, 480.

Youth, negligence in, 81.

Youth returns not, 319.

Zeal, excessive, 586.

Transcriber's Notes:

In the original, all letters á, í, ú had macrons instead of accents, except for the word Chándálas, which appears as printed.

Item 54: Mahhábhárata _changed to_ Mahábhárata Item 92: Mahábáhrata _changed to_ Mahábhárata Item 115: Depend not an _changed to_ Depend not on Item 306: Chandalas' _changed to_ Chándálas' Item 434: Goldini _changed to_ Goldoni