Part 32

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"That which will not be will not be, and what is to be will be: Why not drink this easy physic, antidote of misery?"

"Whoso trusts, for service rendered, or fair words, an enemy, Wakes from folly like one falling in his slumber from a tree."

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"Fellow be with kindly foemen, rather than with friends unkind; Friend and foeman are distinguished not by title but by mind."

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"Whoso setting duty highest, speaks at need unwelcome things, Disregarding fear and favour, such an one may succour kings."

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"Brahmans for their lore have honour; Kshattriyas for their bravery; Vaisyas for their hard-earned treasure; Sudras for humility."

"Seven foemen of all foemen, very hard to vanquish be: The Truth-teller, the Just-dweller, and the man from passion free.

"Subtle, self-sustained, and counting frequent well-won victories, And the man of many kinsmen--keep the peace with such as these."

"For the man with many kinsmen answers by them all attacks; As the bambu, in the bambus safely sheltered, scorns the axe."

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"Whoso hath the gift of giving wisely, equitably, well; Whoso, learning all men's secrets, unto none his own will tell: Whoso, ever cold and courtly, utters nothing that offends, Such an one may rule his fellows unto Earth's extremest ends."

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"Cheating them that truly trust you, 'tis a clumsy villany! Any knave may slay the child who climbs and slumbers on his knee."

"Hunger hears not, cares not, spares not; no boon of the starving beg; When the snake is pinched with craving, verily she eats her egg."

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"Of the Tree of State the root Kings are--feed what brings the fruit."

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"Courtesy may cover malice; on their heads the woodmen bring, Meaning all the while to burn them, logs and faggots--oh, my King! And the strong and subtle river, rippling at the cedar's foot, While it seems to lave and kiss it, undermines the hanging root."

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"Weep not! Life the hired nurse is, holding us a little space; Death, the mother who doth take us back into our proper place."

"Gone, with all their gauds and glories: gone, like peasants, are the Kings, Whereunto this earth was witness, whereof all her record rings."

"For the body, daily wasting, is not seen to waste away, Until wasted; as in water set a jar of unbaked clay."

"And day after day man goeth near and nearer to his fate, As step after step the victim thither where its slayers wait."

"Like as a plank of drift-wood Tossed on the watery main, Another plank encountered, Meets,--touches,--parts again; So tossed, and drifting ever, On life's unresting sea, Men meet, and greet, and sever, Parting eternally."

"Halt, traveller! rest i' the shade: then up and leave it! Stay, Soul! take fill of love; nor losing, grieve it!"