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It was Jupiter's command, that in this Lottery some of the Gods should also become adventurers. The tickets being disposed of, and the wheels placed, Mercury was employed to preside at the drawing. It happened that the best prize fell to Minerva: upon which a general murmur ran through the assembly, and hints were thrown out that Jupiter had used some unfair practices to secure this desirable lot to his daughter. Jupiter, that he might at once, both punish and silence these impious clamours of the human race, presented them with Folly in the place of Wisdom; with which they went away perfectly wellcontented. And from that time, the greatest fools have always looked upon themselves as the wisest men.*

*From Bewick's Select Fables.

162. WISE MEN AND FOOLS.

That man is sapient who knows how to suit
His words to each occasion, his kind acts.
To each man's worth, his anger to his power.
"HITOPADESHA."*

The wise man is he who hopes not for what is wrong, who begs not for what he fears may be refused, and who undertakes not what he cannot perform.

-"JAVIDAN-KHIRAD."†

That man is truly wise

Who is content with what he has, and seeks
Nothing beyond, but in whatever sphere,

Lowly or great, God placed him, works in faith.t
-TORU DUTT.

A man possessing Wisdom is like a diamond ever brilliant, and is able to throw light into the gloom of ignorance wherever he goes.§

Own him as prudent and as thoroughly wise,

Who founds his actions on a base secure.

But in whose caution aught defective lies,
His ground of action is most weak, be sure.

-"ANVÂR-I-SUHAILI. "||

• Prof. Johnson's edition.

From Ancient Iranian and Zoroastrian Morals, by D. J.

Medhora.

From Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustân.

§ From a Paper read by Manmohandas D. Shroff, F. T. S.

| Translated by Eastwick,

A wise man's kingdom is his own breast; or, if he ever looks farther, it will only be to the judgment of a select few, who are free from prejudices, and capable of examining his work.

men.

-DAVID HUME.

The wise man reigns in the souls and hearts of

-BACON.

The wise knows that he does not know; the ignorant thinks he knows.

-SPANISH PROVERB.

Every condition sits well upon a wise man.

No worldly fears can daunt the heart of the wise man, however nearest they may approach to him. Just as no arrow can pierce through a huge solid stone.

-"YOGA-VASISTHA. "*

Not as adventitious will the wise man regard the faith which is in him. The highest truth he sees he will fearlessly utter; knowing that, let what may come of it, he is thus playing his right part in the world; knowing that, if he can effect the change he aims at-well; if not-well also: though not so well.

-HERBERT SPENCER.

The wise and prudent conquer difficulties by daring

to attempt them.

* Translated by Vihâri Lâlâ Mitra.

-Rowe.

A wise man displays neither the severity,
Nor the apathy, that would impair his dignity.
He neither sets too high a value on himself,
Nor altogether lowers himself.

-SADI'S GULISTAN.*

The wise man practises humility-the bough laden with fruit bends its head to the earth.

-SADI.

The duties which the wise man owes are these; to God, obedience and gratitude; to the king, sincere loyalty and counsel; to himself, earnestness for good and avoidance of evil; to his friends, liberality and faithfulness; and to mankind generally, courtesy and protection.

-"JAVIDAN KHIRAD."†

A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser to-day than he was yesterday. -POPE.

In the same manner as it is a received principle that the general should lead the army, so should wise men lead affairs.

-DEMOSTHENES.

Be wisely worldly, be not worldly wise.

-QUARLES.

Follow the wise few than the vulgar many.

* Translated by Platts.

From Ancient Iranian and Zoroastrian Morals, by D. J.

Medhora.

Far does the man all other men excel,

Who, from his wisdom, thinks in all things well,
Wisely considering, to himself a friend,

All for the present best, and for the end.
Nor is the man without his share of praise,
Who well the dictates of the wise obeys:
But he that is not wise himself, nor can
Hearken to wisdom, is a useless man.*

ADVICE TO WISE MEN.

-HESIOD.

Since on mankind, thy door thou canst not close, Nor in thy lonely closet sole repose,

Bestow thy friendship on the good, for it Is not for each dark-hearted miscreant fit. This saying of a sage recurs to me(God's mercy on his saintly spirit be!) "He who of foolish men becomes the friend, Will find their friendship troublous in the end." -"ANVAR-I-SUHAILI. "+

He is indeed a fool who is not disposed to learn; He shows himself to be a fool who is a stranger to all good manners;

It is a sign of folly in one to speak too much falsehood;

That man is really a fool who lays open his own drawbacks;

Foolish is he again who does not work but eats and sleeps immoderately;

The above says Sâmal are the marks that betray a fool. -SAMAL. I

*From Brown's Aristotle's Ethics.

†Translated by Eastwick.

A Gujarati poet.

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