"As the downward-running rivers never turn and never stay,
So the days and nights stream deathward, bearing human lives away."
"Bethinking him of darkness grim, and death's unshunnèd pain,
A man strong-souled relaxes hold, like leather soaked in rain."
"From the day, the hour, the minute.
Each life quickens in the womb;
Thence its march, no falter in it,
Goes straight forward to the tomb."
"An 'twere not so, would sorrow cease with years?
Wisdom sees right what want of knowledge fears."
"Seek not the wild, sad heart! thy passions haunt it;
Play hermit in thy house with heart undaunted;
A governed heart, thinking no thought but good,
Makes crowded houses holy solitude."
"Away with those that preach to us the washing off of sin—
Thine own self is the stream for thee to make ablutions in:
In self-restraint it rises pure—flows clear in tide of truth,
By widening banks of wisdom, in waves of peace and truth."
"Bathe there, thou son of Pandu! with reverence and rite,
For never yet was water wet could wash the spirit white."
"Thunder for nothing, like December's cloud,
Passes unmarked: strike hard, but speak not loud."