Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.

The Goddess of wealth is unsteady, and so is the life breath. The duration of life is uncertain, and the place of habitation is uncertain; but in all this inconsistent world religious merit alone is immovable.

A man is great by deeds, not by birth.

O wise man! Give your wealth only to the worthy and never to others. The water of the sea received by the clouds is always sweet.

The cuckoos remain silent for a long time (for several seasons) until they are able to sing sweetly (in the Spring) so as to give joy to all.

The low minded are fond of deception the nature of low-minded people never changes.

Eschew wicked company and associate with saintly persons. Acquire virtue day and night, and always meditate on that which is eternal forgetting that which is temporary.