Verse 31

Glance

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The bee and the great snake· Verses 31–36

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I see the trouble of the rich, greedy men who have not mastered themselves, who cannot sleep for fear and suspect danger from every side. From the king, from thieves, from an enemy, from his own people, from beast and bird, from those who beg of him, from time, and from himself: a man with life and wealth is afraid always. Grief, confusion, fear, anger, attachment, weakness, weariness and the rest have their root in these two. So a wise man gives up longing for life and for wealth. The honey bee and the great snake are our best teachers in this world; from what they taught us we came to detachment and to contentment.

From the bee I learned to turn away from every desire. Wealth got with hardship goes like honey: another carries it off, and may kill its owner to do it. I make no effort, and I am content with whatever comes of itself. If nothing comes, I lie many days like the great snake, and my strength stays with me.