Domestic Virtue

Pope (1886)The men of household virtue, firm in way of good, sustainThe other orders three that rule professed maintain

MeaningHe will be called a (true) householder, who is a firm support to the virtuous of the three orders in

Pope (1886)To anchorites, to indigent, to those who've passed away, The man for household virtue famed is needful held and stay

MeaningHe will be said to flourish in domestic virtue who aids the forsaken, the poor, and the dead

Pope (1886)The manes, God, guests kindred, self, in due degree, These five to cherish well is chiefest charity

MeaningThe chief (duty of the householder) is to preserve the five-fold rule (of conduct) towards the manes, the Gods, his guests, his relations and himself

Pope (1886)Who shares his meal with other, while all guilt he shuns, His virtuous line unbroken though the ages runs

MeaningHis descendants shall never fail who, living in the domestic state, fears vice (in the acquisition of property) and shares his food (with others)

Pope (1886)If man in active household life a virtuous soul retain, What fruit from other modes of virtue can he gain

MeaningWhat will he who lives virtuously in the domestic state gain by going into the other, (ascetic) state ?

Pope (1886)In nature's way who spends his calm domestic days,'Mid all that strive for virtue's crown hath foremost place

MeaningAmong all those who labour (for future happiness) he is greatest who lives well in the household state

Pope (1886)Others it sets upon their way, itself from virtue ne'er declines; Than stern ascetics' pains such life domestic brighter shines

MeaningThe householder who, not swerving from virtue, helps the ascetic in his way, endures more than those who endure penance

Pope (1886)The life domestic rightly bears true virtue's name; That other too, if blameless found, due praise may claim

MeaningThe marriage state is truly called virtue The other state is also good, if others do not reproach it

Pope (1886)Who shares domestic life, by household virtues graced, Shall, mid the Gods, in heaven who dwell, be placed

MeaningHe who on earth has lived in the conjugal state as he should live, will be placed among the Gods who dwell in heaven

Pope (1886)As doth the house beseem, she shows her wifely dignity; As doth her husband's wealth befit, she spends: help - meet is she

MeaningShe who has the excellence of home virtues, and can expend within the means of her husband, is a help in the domestic state

Pope (1886)If household excellence be wanting in the wife, Howe'er with splendour lived, all worthless is the life

MeaningIf the wife be devoid of domestic excellence, whatever (other) greatness be possessed, the conjugal state, is nothing

Pope (1886)There is no lack within the house, where wife in worth excels, There is no luck within the house, where wife dishonoured dwells

MeaningIf his wife be eminent (in virtue), what does (that man) not possess ? If she be without excellence, what does (he) possess ?

Pope (1886)If woman might of chastity retain, What choicer treasure doth the world contain

MeaningWhat is more excellent than a wife, if she possess the stability of chastity ?

Pope (1886)Who guards herself, for husband's comfort cares, her household's fame, In perfect wise with sleepless soul preserves, -give her a woman's name

MeaningShe is a wife who unweariedly guards herself, takes care of her husband, and preserves an unsullied fame

Pope (1886)Of what avail is watch and ward?Honour's woman's safest guard

MeaningWhat avails the guard of a prison ? The chief guard of a woman is her chastity

Pope (1886)If wife be wholly true to him who gained her as his bride, Great glory gains she in the world where gods bliss abide

MeaningIf women shew reverence to their husbands, they will obtain great excellence in the world where the gods flourish

Pope (1886)Who have not spouses that in virtue's praise delight, They lion-like can never walk in scorner's sight

MeaningThe man whose wife seeks not the praise (of chastity) cannot walk with lion-like stately step, before those who revile them

Pope (1886)The house's 'blessing', men pronounce the house-wife excellent; The gain of blessed children is its goodly ornament

MeaningThe excellence of a wife is the good of her husband; and good children are the jewels of that goodness

Pope (1886)Of all that men acquire, we know not any greater gain, Than that which by the birth of learned children men obtain

MeaningAmong all the benefits that may be acquired, we know no greater benefit than the acquisition of intelligent children

Pope (1886)Who children gain, that none reproach, of virtuous worth, No evils touch them, through the sev'n-fold maze of birth

MeaningThe evils of the seven births shall not touch those who abtain children of a good disposition, free from vice

Pope (1886)'Man's children are his fortune,' say the wise; From each one's deeds his varied fortunes rise

MeaningMen will call their sons their wealth, because it flows to them through the deeds which they (sons) perform on their behalf

Pope (1886)Than God's ambrosia sweeter far the food before men laid, In which the little hands of children of their own have play'd

MeaningThe rice in which the little hand of their children has dabbled will be far sweeter (to the parent) than ambrosia

Pope (1886)To patent sweet the touch of children dear; Their voice is sweetest music to his ear

MeaningThe touch of children gives pleasure to the body, and the hearing of their words, pleasure to the ear

Pope (1886)Sire greatest boon on son confers, who makes him meet, In councils of the wise to fill the highest seat

MeaningThe benefit which a father should confer on his son is to give him precedence in the assembly of the learned

Pope (1886)Their children's wisdom greater than their own confessed, Through the wide world is sweet to every human breast

MeaningThat their children should possess knowledge is more pleasing to all men of this great earth than to themselves

Pope (1886)When mother hears him named 'fulfill'd of wisdom's lore,'Far greater joy she feels, than when her son she bore

MeaningThe mother who hears her son called "a wise man" will rejoice more than she did at his birth

Pope (1886)To sire, what best requital can by grateful child be done?To make men say, 'What merit gained the father such a son?'

Meaning(So to act) that it may be said "by what great penance did his father beget him," is the benefit which a son should render to his father

Pope (1886)And is there bar that can even love restrain?The tiny tear shall make the lover's secret plain

MeaningIs there any fastening that can shut in love ? Tears of the affectionate will publish the love that is within

Pope (1886)Of precious soul with body's flesh and bone, The union yields one fruit, the life of love alone

MeaningThey say that the union of soul and body in man is the fruit of the union of love and virtue (in a former birth)

Pope (1886)From love fond yearning springs for union sweet of minds; And that the bond of rare excelling friendship binds

MeaningLove begets desire: and that (desire) begets the immeasureable excellence of friendship

Pope (1886)Sweetness on earth and rarest bliss above, These are the fruits of tranquil life of love

MeaningThese are the fruits of tranquil life of love

Pope (1886)The unwise deem love virtue only can sustain, It also helps the man who evil would restrain

MeaningThe ignorant say that love is an ally to virtue only, but it is also a help to get out of vice

Pope (1886)As sun's fierce ray dries up the boneless things, So loveless beings virtue's power to nothing brings

MeaningVirtue will burn up the soul which is without love, even as the sun burns up the creature which is without bone, ie worms

Pope (1886)The loveless soul, the very joys of life may know, When flowers, in barren soil, on sapless trees, shall blow

MeaningThe domestic state of that man whose mind is without love is like the flourishing of a withered tree upon the parched desert

Pope (1886)Though every outward part complete, the body's fitly framed; What good, when soul within, of love devoid, lies halt and maimed

MeaningOf what avail are all the external members (of the body) to those who are destitute of love, the internal member

Pope (1886)Bodies of loveless men are bony framework clad with skin; Then is the body seat of life, when love resides within

MeaningThat body alone which is inspired with love contains a living soul: if void of it, (the body) is bone overlaid with skin

Pope (1886)Though food of immortality should crown the board, Feasting alone, the guests without unfed, is thing abhorred

MeaningIt is not fit that one should wish his guests to be outside (his house) even though he were eating the food of immortality

Pope (1886)Each day he tends the coming guest with kindly care; Painless, unfailing plenty shall his household share

MeaningThe domestic life of the man that daily entertains the guests who come to him shall not be laid waste by poverty

Pope (1886)With smiling face he entertains each virtuous guest,'Fortune' with gladsome mind shall in his dwelling rest

MeaningLakshmi with joyous mind shall dwell in the house of that man who, with cheerful countenance, entertains the good as guests

Pope (1886)Who first regales his guest, and then himself supplies, O'er all his fields, unsown, shall plenteous harvests rise

MeaningIs it necessary to sow the field of the man who, having feasted his guests, eats what may remain ?

Pope (1886)The guest arrived he tends, the coming guest expects to see; To those in heavenly homes that dwell a welcome guest is he

MeaningHe who, having entertained the guests that have come, looks out for others who may yet come, will be a welcome guest to the inhabitants of heaven

Pope (1886)To reckon up the fruit of kindly deeds were all in vain; Their worth is as the worth of guests you entertain

MeaningThe advantages of benevolence cannot be measured; the measure (of the virtue) of the guests (entertained) is the only measure

Pope (1886)With pain they guard their stores, yet 'All forlorn are we,' they'll cry, Who cherish not their guests, nor kindly help supply

MeaningThose who have taken no part in the benevolence of hospitality shall (at length lament) saying, "we have laboured and laid up wealth and are now without support."

Pope (1886)To turn from guests is penury, though worldly goods abound;'Tis senseless folly, only with the senseless found

MeaningThat stupidity which excercises no hospitality is poverty in the midst of wealth It is the property of the stupid

Pope (1886)The flower of 'Anicha' withers away, If you do but its fragrance inhale; If the face of the host cold welcome convey, The guest's heart within him will fail

MeaningAs the Anicham flower fades in smelling, so fades the guest when the face is turned away

Pope (1886)Pleasant words are words with all pervading love that burn; Words from his guileless mouth who can the very truth discern

MeaningSweet words are those which imbued with love and free from deceit flow from the mouth of the virtuous

Pope (1886)A pleasant word with beaming smile's preferred, Even to gifts with liberal heart conferred

MeaningSweet speech, with a cheerful countenance is better than a gift made with a joyous mind

Pope (1886)With brightly beaming smile, and kindly light of loving eye, And heart sincere, to utter pleasant words is charity

MeaningSweet speech, flowing from the heart (uttered) with a cheerful countenance and a sweet look, is true virtue

Pope (1886)The men of pleasant speech that gladness breathe around, Through indigence shall never sorrow's prey be found

MeaningSorrow-increasing poverty shall not come upon those who use towards all, pleasure-increasing sweetness of speech

Pope (1886)Humility with pleasant speech to man on earth, Is choice adornment; all besides is nothing worth

MeaningHumility and sweetness of speech are the ornaments of man; all others are not (ornaments)

Pope (1886)Who seeks out good, words from his lips of sweetness flow; In him the power of vice declines, and virtues grow

MeaningIf a man, while seeking to speak usefully, speaks also sweetly, his sins will diminish and his virtue increase

Pope (1886)The words of sterling sense, to rule of right that strict adhere, To virtuous action prompting, blessings yield in every sphere

MeaningThat speech which, while imparting benefits ceases not to please, will yield righteousness (for this world) and merit (for the next world)

Pope (1886)Sweet kindly words, from meanness free, delight of heart, In world to come and in this world impart

MeaningSweet speech, free from harm to others, will give pleasure both in this world and in the next

Pope (1886)Who sees the pleasure kindly speech affords, Why makes he use of harsh, repellant words

MeaningWhy does he use harsh words, who sees the pleasure which sweet speech yields ?

Pope (1886)A timely benefit, -though thing of little worth, The gift itself, -in excellence transcends the earth

MeaningA favour conferred in the time of need, though it be small (in itself), is (in value) much larger than the world

Pope (1886)Kindness shown by those who weigh not what the return may be:When you ponder right its merit, 'Tis vaster than the sea

MeaningIf we weigh the excellence of a benefit which is conferred without weighing the return, it is larger than the sea

Pope (1886)Each benefit to those of actions' fruit who rightly deem, Though small as millet-seed, as palm-tree vast will seem

MeaningThough the benefit conferred be as small as a millet seed, those who know its advantage will consider it as large as a palmyra fruit

Pope (1886)The kindly aid's extent is of its worth no measure true; Its worth is as the worth of him to whom the act you do

MeaningThe benefit itself is not the measure of the benefit; the worth of those who have received it is its measure

Pope (1886)Kindness of men of stainless soul remember evermoreForsake thou never friends who were thy stay in sorrow sore

MeaningForsake not the friendship of those who have been your staff in adversity Forget not be benevolence of the blameless

Pope (1886)Through all seven worlds, in seven-fold birth, Remains in mem'ry of the wiseFriendship of those who wiped on earth, The tears of sorrow from their eyes

Meaning(The wise) will remember throughout their seven-fold births the love of those who have wiped away their affliction

Pope (1886)'Tis never good to let the thought of good things done thee pass away; Of things not good, 'tis good to rid thy memory that very day

MeaningIt is not good to forget a benefit; it is good to forget an injury even in the very moment (in which it is inflicted)

Pope (1886)Effaced straightway is deadliest injury, By thought of one kind act in days gone by

MeaningThough one inflict an injury great as murder, it will perish before the thought of one benefit (formerly) conferred

Pope (1886)Who every good have killed, may yet destruction flee; Who 'benefit' has killed, that man shall ne'er 'scape free

MeaningHe who has killed every virtue may yet escape; there is no escape for him who has killed a benefit

Pope (1886)If justice, failing not, its quality maintain, Giving to each his due, -'tis man's one highest gain

MeaningThat equity which consists in acting with equal regard to each of (the three) divisions of men [enemies, strangers and friends] is a pre-eminent virtue

Pope (1886)The just man's wealth unwasting shall endure, And to his race a lasting joy ensure

MeaningThe wealth of the man of rectitude will not perish, but will bring happiness also to his posterity

Pope (1886)Who just or unjust lived shall soon appear:By each one's offspring shall the truth be clear

MeaningThe worthy and unworthy may be known by the existence or otherwise of good offsprings

Pope (1886)The gain and loss in life are not mere accident; Just mind inflexible is sages' ornament

MeaningLoss and gain come not without cause; it is the ornament of the wise to preserve evenness of mind (under both)

Pope (1886)If, right deserting, heart to evil turn, Let man impending ruin's sign discern

MeaningLet him whose mind departing from equity commits sin well consider thus within himself, "I shall perish."

Pope (1886)The man who justly lives, tenacious of the right, In low estate is never low to wise man's sight

MeaningThe great will not regard as poverty the low estate of that man who dwells in the virtue of equity

Pope (1886)To stand, like balance-rod that level hangs and rightly weighs, With calm unbiassed equity of soul, is sages' praise

MeaningTo incline to neither side, but to rest impartial as the even-fixed scale is the ornament of the wise

Pope (1886)Inflexibility in word is righteousness, If men inflexibility of soul possess

MeaningFreedom from obliquity of speech is rectitude, if there be (corresponding) freedom from bias of mind

Pope (1886)As thriving trader is the trader known, Who guards another's interests as his own

MeaningThe true merchandize of merchants is to guard and do by the things of others as they do by their own

Pope (1886)Control of self does man conduct to bliss th' immortals share; Indulgence leads to deepest night, and leaves him there

MeaningSelf-control will place (a man) among the Gods; the want of it will drive (him) into the thickest darkness (of hell)

Pope (1886)Guard thou as wealth the power of self-control; Than this no greater gain to living soul

MeaningLet self-control be guarded as a treasure; there is no greater source of good for man than that

Pope (1886)If versed in wisdom's lore by virtue's law you self restrainYour self-repression known will yield you glory's gain

MeaningKnowing that self-control is knowledge, if a man should control himself, in the prescribed course, such self-control will bring him distinction among the wise

Pope (1886)In his station, all unswerving, if man self subdue, Greater he than mountain proudly rising to the view

MeaningMore lofty than a mountain will be the greatness of that man who without swerving from his domestic state, controls himself

Pope (1886)To all humility is goodly grace; but chief to themWith fortune blessed, -'tis fortune's diadem

MeaningHumility is good in all; but especially in the rich it is (the excellence of) higher riches

Pope (1886)Like tortoise, who the five restrainsIn one, through seven world bliss obtains

MeaningShould one throughout a single birth, like a tortoise keep in his five senses, the fruit of it will prove a safe-guard to him throughout the seven-fold births.

Pope (1886)Though some small gain of good it seem to bring, The evil word is parent still of evil thing

MeaningIf a man's speech be productive of a single evil, all the good by him will be turned into evil

Pope (1886)In flesh by fire inflamed, nature may thoroughly heal the sore; In soul by tongue inflamed, the ulcer healeth never more

MeaningThe wound which has been burnt in by fire may heal, but a wound burnt in by the tongue will never heal

Pope (1886)Who learns restraint, and guards his soul from wrath, Virtue, a timely aid, attends his path

MeaningVirtue, seeking for an opportunity, will come into the path of that man who, possessed of learning and self-control, guards himself against anger

Pope (1886)Searching, duly watching, learning, 'decorum' still we find; Man's only aid; toiling, guard thou this with watchful mind

MeaningLet propriety of conduct be laboriously preserved and guarded; though one know and practise and excel in many virtues, that will be an eminent aid

Pope (1886)'Decorum's' true nobility on earth;'Indecorum's' issue is ignoble birth

MeaningPropriety of conduct is true greatness of birth, and impropriety will sink into a mean birth

Pope (1886)Though he forget, the Brahman may regain his Vedic lore; Failing in 'decorum due,' birthright's gone for evermore

MeaningA Brahman though he should forget the Vedas may recover it by reading; but, if he fail in propriety of conduct even his high birth will be destroyed

Pope (1886)The envious soul in life no rich increase of blessing gains, So man of 'due decorum' void no dignity obtains

MeaningJust as the envious man will be without wealth, so will the man of destitute of propriety of conduct be without greatness

Pope (1886)The strong of soul no jot abate of 'strict decorum's' laws, Knowing that 'due decorum's' breach foulest disgrace will cause

MeaningThose firm in mind will not slacken in their observance of the proprieties of life, knowing, as they do, the misery that flows from the transgression from them

Pope (1886)'Tis source of dignity when 'true decorum' is preserved; Who break 'decorum's' rules endure e'en censures undeserved

MeaningFrom propriety of conduct men obtain greatness; from impropriety comes insufferable disgrace

Pope (1886)'Decorum true' observed a seed of good will be;'Decorum's breach' will sorrow yield eternally

MeaningPropriety of conduct is the seed of virtue; impropriety will ever cause sorrow

Pope (1886)It cannot be that they who 'strict decorum's' law fulfil, E'en in forgetful mood, should utter words of ill

MeaningThose who study propriety of conduct will not speak evil, even forgetfully

Pope (1886)Who know not with the world in harmony to dwell, May many things have learned, but nothing well

MeaningThose who know not how to act agreeably to the world, though they have learnt many things, are still ignorant

Pope (1886)Who laws of virtue and possession's rights have known, Indulge no foolish love of her by right another's own

MeaningThe folly of desiring her who is the property of another will not be found in those who know (the attributes of) virtue and (the rights of) property

Pope (1886)No fools, of all that stand from virtue's pale shut out, Like those who longing lurk their neighbour's gate without

MeaningAmong all those who stand on the outside of virtue, there are no greater fools than those who stand outside their neighbour's door

Pope (1886)They're numbered with the dead, e'en while they live, -how otherwise?With wife of sure confiding friend who evil things devise

MeaningCertainly they are no better than dead men who desire evil towards the wife of those who

Pope (1886)How great soe'er they be, what gain have they of life, Who, not a whit reflecting, seek a neighbour's wife

MeaningHowever great one may be, what does it avail if, without at all considering his guilt, he goes unto the wife of another ?

Pope (1886)'Mere triflel' saying thus, invades the home, so he ensuresA gain of guilt that deathless aye endures

MeaningHe who thinks lightly of going into the wife of another acquires guilt that will abide with him imperishably and for ever

Pope (1886)Who home ivades, from him pass nevermore, Hatred and sin, fear, foul disgrace; these four

MeaningHatred, sin, fear, disgrace; these four will never leave him who goes in to his neighbour's wife

Pope (1886)Who sees the wife, another's own, with no desiring eyeIn sure domestic bliss he dwelleth ever virtuously

MeaningHe who desires not the womanhood of her who should walk according to the will of another will be praised as a virtuous house-holder

Pope (1886)Manly excellence, that looks not on another's wife, Is not virtue merely, 'tis full 'propriety' of life

MeaningThat noble manliness which looks not at the wife of another is the virtue and dignity of the great

Pope (1886)Who 're good indeed, on earth begirt by ocean's gruesome tide?The men who touch not her that is another's bride

MeaningIs it asked, "who are those who shall obtain good in this world surrounded by the terror-producing sea ?" Those who touch not the shoulder of her who belongs to another

Pope (1886)Forgiving trespasses is good always; Forgetting them hath even higher praise;

MeaningBear with reproach even when you can retaliate; but to forget it will be still better than that

Pope (1886)The sorest poverty is bidding guest unfed depart; The mightiest might to bear with men of foolish heart

MeaningTo neglect hospitality is poverty of poverty To bear with the ignorant is might of might

Pope (1886)Seek'st thou honour never tarnished to retain; So must thou patience, guarding evermore, maintain

MeaningIf you desire that greatness should never leave, you preserve in your conduct the exercise of patience

Pope (1886)Who wreak their wrath as worthless are despised; Who patiently forbear as gold are prized

Meaning(The wise) will not at all esteem the resentful They will esteem the patient just as the gold which they lay up with care

Pope (1886)Who wreak their wrath have pleasure for a day; Who bear have praise till earth shall pass away

MeaningThe pleasure of the resentful continues for a day The praise of the patient will continue until (the final destruction of) the world

Pope (1886)Though others work thee ill, thus shalt thou blessing reap; Grieve for their sin, thyself from vicious action keep

MeaningThough others inflict injuries on you, yet compassionating the evil (that will come upon them) it will be well not to do them anything contrary to virtue

Pope (1886)With overweening pride when men with injuries assail, By thine own righteous dealing shalt thou mightily prevail

MeaningLet a man by patience overcome those who through pride commit excesses

Pope (1886)They who transgressors' evil words endureWith patience, are as stern ascetics pure

MeaningThose who bear with the uncourteous speech of the insolent are as pure as the ascetics

Pope (1886)Though 'great' we deem the men that fast and suffer pain, Who others' bitter words endure, the foremost place obtain

MeaningThose who endure abstinence from food are great, next to those who endure the uncourteous speech of others

Pope (1886)As 'strict decorum's' laws, that all men bind, Let each regard unenvying grace of mind

MeaningLet a man esteem that disposition which is free from envy in the same manner as propriety of conduct

Pope (1886)If man can learn to envy none on earth,'Tis richest gift, -beyond compare its worth

MeaningAmongst all attainable excellences there is none equal to that of being free from envy towords others

Pope (1886)Nor wealth nor virtue does that man desire 'tis plain, Whom others' wealth delights not, feeling envious pain

MeaningOf him who instead of rejoicing in the wealth of others, envies it, it will be said "he neither desires virtue not wealth."

Pope (1886)The wise through envy break not virtue's laws, Knowing ill-deeds of foul disgrace the cause

Meaning(The wise) knowing the misery that comes from transgression will not through envy commit unrighteous deeds

Pope (1886)Envy they have within! Enough to seat their fate!Though foemen fail, envy can ruin consummate

MeaningTo those who cherish envy that is enough Though free from enemies that (envy) will bring destruction

Pope (1886)From envious man good fortune's goddess turns away, Grudging him good, and points him out misfortune's prey

MeaningLakshmi envying (the prosperity) of the envious man will depart and introduce him to her sister

Pope (1886)Envy, embodied ill, incomparable bane, Good fortune slays, and soul consigns to fiery pain

MeaningEnvy will destroy (a man's) wealth (in his world) and drive him into the pit of fire (in the world to come.)

Pope (1886)To men of envious heart, when comes increase of joy, Or loss to blameless men, the 'why' will thoughtful hearts employ

MeaningThe wealth of a man of envious mind and the poverty of the righteous will be pondered

Pope (1886)No envious men to large and full felicity attain; No men from envy free have failed a sure increase to gain

MeaningNever have the envious become great; never have those who are free from envy been without greatness

Pope (1886)With soul unjust to covet others' well-earned store, Brings ruin to the home, to evil opes the door

MeaningIf a man departing from equity covet the property (of others), at that very time will his family be destroyed and guilt be incurred

Pope (1886)Through lust of gain, no deeds that retribution bring, Do they, who shrink with shame from every unjust thing

MeaningThose who blush at the want of equity will not commit disgraceful acts through desire of the profit that may be gained

Pope (1886)No deeds of ill, misled by base desire, Do they, whose souls to other joys aspire

MeaningThose who desire the higher pleasures (of heaven) will not act unjustly through desire of the trifling joy. (in this life.)

Pope (1886)Men who have conquered sense, with sight from sordid vision freed, Desire not other's goods, e'en in the hour of sorest need

MeaningThe wise who have conquered their senses and are free from crime, will not covet (the things of others), with the thought "we are destitute."

Pope (1886)What gain, though lore refined of amplest reach he learn, His acts towards all mankind if covetous desire to folly turn

MeaningWhat is the advantage of extensive and accurate knowledge if a man through covetousness act senselessly towards all ?

Pope (1886)Though, grace desiring, he in virtue's way stand strong, He's lost who wealth desires, and ponders deeds of wrong

MeaningIf he, who through desire of the virtue of kindness abides in the domestic state ie, the path in which it may be obtained, covet (the property of others) and think of evil methods (to obtain it), he will perish

Pope (1886)Seek not increase by greed of gain acquired; That fruit matured yields never good desired

MeaningDesire not the gain of covetousness In the enjoyment of its fruits there is no glory

Pope (1886)What saves prosperity from swift decline?Absence of lust to make another's cherished riches thine

MeaningIf it is weighed, "what is the indestructibility of wealth," it is freedom from covetousness

Pope (1886)Good fortune draws anigh in helpful time of need, To him who, schooled in virtue, guards his soul from greed

MeaningLakshmi, knowing the manner (in which she may approach) will immediately come to those wise men who, knowing that it is virtue, covet not the property of others

Pope (1886)Though virtuous words his lips speak not, and all his deeds are illIf neighbour he defame not, there's good within him still

MeaningThough one do not even speak of virtue and live in sin, it will be well if it be said of him "he does not backbite."

Pope (1886)Than he who virtue scorns, and evil deeds performs, more vile, Is he that slanders friend, then meets him with false smile

MeaningTo smile deceitfully (in another's presence) after having reviled him to his destruction (behind his back) is a greater evil than the commission of (every other) sin and the destruction of (every) virtue

Pope (1886)'Tis greater gain of virtuous good for man to die, Than live to slander absent friend, and falsely praise when nigh

MeaningDeath rather than life will confer upon the deceitful backbiter the profit which (the treatises on) virtue point out

Pope (1886)In presence though unkindly words you speak, say notIn absence words whose ill result exceeds your thought

MeaningThough you speak without kindness before another's face speak not in his absence words which regard not the evil subsequently resulting from it

Pope (1886)The slanderous meanness that an absent friend defames,'This man in words owns virtue, not in heart,' proclaims

MeaningThe emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back

Pope (1886)With friendly art who know not pleasant words to say, Speak words that sever hearts, and drive choice friends away

MeaningThose who know not to live in friendship with amusing conversation will by back-biting estrange even their relatives

Pope (1886)Whose nature bids them faults of closest friends proclaimWhat mercy will they show to other men's good name

MeaningWhat will those not do to strangers whose nature leads them to publish abroad the faults of their intimate friends ?

Pope (1886)'Tis charity, I ween, that makes the earth sustain their loadWho, neighbours' absence watching, tales or slander tell abroad

MeaningThe world through charity supports the weight of those who reproach others observing their absence

Pope (1886)If each his own, as neighbours' faults would scan, Could any evil hap to living man

MeaningIf they observed their own faults as they observe the faults of others, would any evil happen to men ?

Pope (1886)Words without sense, while chafe the wise, Who babbles, him will all despise

MeaningHe who to the disgust of many speaks useless things will be despised by all

Pope (1886)Words without sense, where many wise men hear, to pourThan deeds to friends ungracious done offendeth more

MeaningTo speak useless things in the presence of many is a greater evil than to do unkind things towards friends

Pope (1886)Diffusive speech of useless words proclaimsA man who never righteous wisdom gains

MeaningThat conversation in which a man utters forth useless things will say of him "he is without virtue."

Pope (1886)Unmeaning, worthless words, said to the multitude, To none delight afford, and sever men from good

MeaningThe words devoid of profit or pleasure which a man speaks will, being inconsistent with virtue,

Pope (1886)Gone are both fame and boasted excellence, When men of worth speak of words devoid of sense

MeaningIf the good speak vain words their eminence and excellence will leave them

Pope (1886)Who makes display of idle words' inanity, Call him not man, -chaff of humanity

MeaningCall not him a man who parades forth his empty words Call him the chaff of men

Pope (1886)Let those who list speak things that no delight afford,'Tis good for men of worth to speak no idle word

MeaningLet the wise if they will, speak things without excellence; it will be well for them not to speak useless things

Pope (1886)The wise who weigh the worth of every utterance, Speak none but words of deep significance

MeaningThe wise who seek after rare pleasures will not speak words that have not much weight in them

Pope (1886)The men of vision pure, from wildering folly free, Not e'en in thoughtless hour, speak words of vanity

MeaningThose wise men who are without faults and are freed from ignorance will not even forgetfully speak things that profit not

Pope (1886)Since evils new from evils ever grow, Evil than fire works out more dreaded woe

MeaningBecause evil produces evil, therefore should evil be feared more than fire

Pope (1886)Even to those that hate make no return of ill; So shalt thou wisdom's highest law, 'tis said, fulfil

MeaningSo shalt thou wisdom's highest law, 'tis said, fulfil

Pope (1886)Though good thy soul forget, plot not thy neighbour's fall, Thy plans shall 'virtue's Power' by ruin to thyself forestall

MeaningEven though forgetfulness meditate not the ruin of another Virtue will meditate the ruin of him who thus meditates

Pope (1886)Make not thy poverty a plea for ill; Thy evil deeds will make thee poorer still

MeaningCommit not evil, saying, "I am poor": if you do, you will become poorer still

Pope (1886)What ranks as evil spare to do, if thou would'st shunAffliction sore through ill to thee by others done

MeaningLet him not do evil to others who desires not that sorrows should pursue him

Pope (1886)From every enmity incurred there is to 'scape, a way; The wrath of evil deeds will dog men's steps, and slay

MeaningHowever great be the enmity men have incurred they may still live The enmity of sin will incessantly pursue and kill

Pope (1886)Man's shadow dogs his steps where'er he wends; Destruction thus on sinful deeds attends

MeaningDestruction will dwell at the heels of those who commit evil even as their shadow that leaves them not

Pope (1886)Beware, if to thyself thyself is dear, Lest thou to aught that ranks as ill draw near

MeaningIf a man love himself, let him not commit any sin however small

Pope (1886)The man, to devious way of sin that never turned aside, From ruin rests secure, whatever ills betide

MeaningKnow ye that he is freed from destruction who commits no evil, going to neither side of the right path

Pope (1886)The worthy say, when wealth rewards their toil-spent hours, For uses of beneficence alone 'tis ours

MeaningAll the wealth acquired with perseverance by the worthy is for the exercise of benevolence

Pope (1886)To 'due beneficence' no equal good we know, Amid the happy gods, or in this world below

MeaningIt is difficult to obtain another good equal to benevolence either in this world or in that of the gods

Pope (1886)Who knows what's human life's befitting grace, He lives; the rest 'mongst dead men have their place

MeaningHe truly lives who knows (and discharges) the proper duties (of benevolence) He who knows them not will be reckoned among the dead

Pope (1886)The wealth of men who love the 'fitting way,' the truly wise, Is as when water fills the lake that village needs supplies

MeaningThe wealth of that man of eminent knowledge who desires to exercise the benevolence approved of by the world, is like the full waters of a city-tank

Pope (1886)A tree that fruits in th' hamlet's central mart, Is wealth that falls to men of liberal heart

MeaningThe wealth of a man (possessed of the virtue) of benevolence is like the ripening of a fruitful tree in the midst of a town

Pope (1886)Unfailing tree that healing balm distils from every part, Is ample wealth that falls to him of large and noble heart

MeaningIf wealth be in the possession of a man who has the great excellence (of benevolence), it is like a tree which as a medicine is an infallible cure for disease

Pope (1886)E'en when resources fall, they weary not of 'kindness due,'-They to whom Duty's self appears in vision true

MeaningThe wise who know what is duty will not scant their benevolence even when they are without wealth

Pope (1886)The kindly-hearted man is poor in this alone, When power of doing deeds of goodness he finds none

MeaningThe poverty of a benevolent man, is nothing but his inability to exercise the same

Pope (1886)Though by 'beneficence,' the loss of all should come,'Twere meet man sold himself, and bought it with the sum

MeaningIf it be said that loss will result from benevolence, such loss is worth being procured even by the sale of one's self

Pope (1886)Call that a gift to needy men thou dost dispense, All else is void of good, seeking for recompense

MeaningTo give to the destitute is true charity All other gifts have the nature of (what is done for) a measured return

Pope (1886)Though men declare it heavenward path, yet to receive is ill; Though upper heaven were not, to give is virtue still

MeaningTo beg is evil, even though it were said that it is a good path (to heaven) To give is good, even though it were said that those who do so cannot obtain heaven

Pope (1886)'I've nought' is ne'er the high-born man's reply; He gives to those who raise themselves that cry

Meaning(Even in a low state) not to adopt the mean expedient of saying "I have nothing," but to give, is the characteristic of the mad of noble birth

Pope (1886)The suppliants' cry for aid yields scant delight, Until you see his face with grateful gladness bright

MeaningTo see men begging from us in disagreeable, until we see their pleasant countenance

Pope (1886)'Mid devotees they're great who hunger's pangs sustain, Who hunger's pangs relieve a higher merit gain

MeaningThe power of those who perform penance is the power of enduring hunger It is inferior to the power of those who remove the hunger (of others)

Pope (1886)Whose soul delights with hungry men to share his meal, The hand of hunger's sickness sore shall never feel

MeaningThe fiery disease of hunger shall never touch him who habitually distributes his food to others

Pope (1886)Delight of glad'ning human hearts with gifts do they not know.Men of unpitying eye, who hoard their wealth and lose it so

MeaningDo the hard-eyed who lay up and lose their possessions not know the happiness which springs from the pleasure of giving ?

Pope (1886)They keep their garners full, for self alone the board they spread;-'Tis greater pain, be sure, than begging daily bread

MeaningSolitary and unshared eating for the sake of filling up one's own riches is certainly much more

Pope (1886)'Tis bitter pain to die, 'Tis worse to live.For him who nothing finds to give

MeaningNothing is more unpleasant than death: yet even that is pleasant where charity cannot be exercised

Pope (1886)The speech of all that speak agrees to crownThe men that give to those that ask, with fair renown

MeaningWhatsoever is spoken in the world will abide as praise upon that man who gives alms to the poor

Pope (1886)Save praise alone that soars on high, Nought lives on earth that shall not die

MeaningThere is nothing that stands forth in the world imperishable, except fame, exalted in solitary greatness

Pope (1886)If men do virtuous deeds by world-wide ample glory crowned, The heavens will cease to laud the sage for other gifts renowned

MeaningIf one has acquired extensive fame within the limits of this earth, the world of the Gods will no longer praise those sages who have attained that world

Pope (1886)Loss that is gain, and death of life's true bliss fulfilled, Are fruits which only wisdom rare can yield

MeaningProsperity to the body of fame, resulting in poverty to the body of flesh and the stability to the former arising from the death of the latter, are achievable only by the wise

Pope (1886)If man you walk the stage, appear adorned with glory's grace; Save glorious you can shine, 'twere better hide your face

MeaningIf you are born (in this world), be born with qualities conductive to fame From those who are destitute of them it will be better not to be born

Pope (1886)If you your days will spend devoid of goodly fame, When men despise, why blame them? You've yourself to blame

MeaningWhy do those who cannot live with praise, grieve those who despise them, instead of grieving themselves for their own inability

Pope (1886)Fame is virtue's child, they say; if, then, You childless live, you live the scorn of men

MeaningNot to beget fame will be esteemed a disgrace by the wise in this world

Pope (1886)The blameless fruits of fields' increase will dwindle down, If earth the burthen bear of men without renown

MeaningThe ground which supports a body without fame will diminish in its rich produce

Pope (1886)Who live without reproach, them living men we deem; Who live without renown, live not, though living men they seem

MeaningThose live who live without disgrace Those who live without fame live not