A wise man keepeth them secret within himself;
A straw floateth on the surface of water,
But a precious gem placed upon it sinketh.
It is only narrow-minded men that make such distinctions
As "This is our friend, this our enemy";
A liberal-minded man showeth affection for all,
For it is uncertain who may yet be of aid to one.
Much talking is a source of danger;
Silence is the means of avoiding misfortune;
The talkative parrot is shut up in a cage;
Other birds, which cannot talk, fly about freely.
The greatest wealth consisteth in being charitable,
And the greatest happiness in having tranquility of mind.
Experience is the most beautiful adornment;
And the best comrade is one that hath no desires.
Hurtful expressions should never be used,
Not even against an enemy;
For inevitably they will return to one,
Like an echo from a rock.
Some there are who talk inside out their whole interior
By means of over-talkativeness.
Be humble and meek if thou would be exalted;
Praise every one's good qualities if thou would have friends.
Argue not with the self-conceited;
Vie not with the fortunate;
Disparage not the vengeful;
Have no grudge with the powerful.
Relinquish an evil custom even though it be of thy fathers and ancestors;
Adopt a good custom even though it be established among thine enemies;
Poison is not to be taken even though offered by one's mother;
But gold is acceptable even from one who is inimical.
Rogues there are even in religious orders;
Poisonous plants grow even on hills of medicinal herbs.
Some there are who marvel not at others removing mountains,
But who consider it a heavy task when obliged to carry a bit of fleece.
-From Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines, page 61
Love and light, Teo
