avoid

Calmness

1 A Friend Who Can Talk Well
 
The world's best moment is a calm hour passed
In listening to a friend who can talk well.
How wonderful is life from first to last!
But ancient Time keeps ever young in tooth:
His ruin cuts down nations in their prime.
In every region Time prepares their graves—
None ever digs the grave of Time.

     
2 Refrain from Speech
 
Whenever man from speech refrains, his foes are few,
Even though he's stricken down by fortune and falls low.
Silently the flea sips up its fill of human blood,
Thus making less the heinousness of its sin:
It follows not the way parched mosquitoes go,
Trumpeting with high-trilled note, you smarting all the while.
If an insolent man thrusts a sword of speech against you,
Oppose him with your patience, so you may break its edge.

      
3  Disbelieve in Transmigration
 
Spirits are said to move by transmigration
From body into body, till they are purged;
But disbelieve what error may have urged,
Unless your mind confirm the information.
   
Though high their heads they carry, like the palm,
Bodies are but as herbs that grow and fade.
Hard polishing wears out the tempered blade,
Allay your soul's desires and live calm.

 
4  Victory will Bring Revenge
 
If time aids thee to victory, he will aid
Thy foe anon to take a full revenge.
The days' meridian heats bear off as spoil
That shed from the moist dawn gone by.
 

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