GEMS FROM THE HITOPADEŚA.
As there are many gems in this quaint old volume of fables which are well worthy of preservation, the best of them are here presented:
1. “Always avoid flatterers and hypocrites; their tongues claim to be covered with honey, while their hearts are filled with poison, and a desire to suck the blood of their victim.”
2. “The learned man may fix his thoughts on science and wealth, as if he were never to grow old or to die; but when death seizes him by the locks he must practice virtue.”
3. “Knowledge produces mildness of speech; mildness of speech a good character; a good character wealth, and wealth, if virtuous actions attend it, produces happiness.”
4. “Among all possessions, knowledge appears eminent; the wise call it supreme riches, because it never can be lost, has no price, and can at no time be destroyed.”
5. “Knowledge acquired by a man of low degree places him on a level with the prince, as a small river at last attains the ocean, and his fortune is then exalted.”
6. “The science of arms and the science of books are both causes of celebrity, but the first is ridiculous in an old man, and the second is in all ages respectable.”
7. “Learning dissipates many doubts, causes things otherwise invisible to be seen, and is the eye of every one that is not absolutely blind.”
8. “Knowledge forgotten is poison, food is poison to him who cannot digest it; a numerous family is poison to the indigent, and a young wife is poison to an old mate.”