117 Why follow men who scorn, and at their bidding wait? Of what good is it (for the high-born) to go and stand in vain before those who revile him ? it only brings him loss of honour and exclusion from heaven. 967 Better 'twere said, 'He's perished!' than to gain The means to live, following in foeman's train. It is better for a man to be said of him that he died in his usual state than that he eked out his life by following those who disgraced him. 968 When high estate has lost its pride of honour meet, Is life, that nurses this poor flesh, as nectar sweet? For the high-born to keep their body in life when their honour is gone will certainly not prove a remedy against death. 969 Like the wild ox that, of its tuft bereft, will pine away, Are those who, of their honour shorn, will quit the light of day. Those who give up (their) life when (their) honour is at stake are like the yark which kills itself at the loss of (even one of) its hairs. 970 Who, when dishonour comes, refuse to live, their honoured memory Will live in worship and applause of all the world for aye! The world will (always) praise and adore the fame of the honourable who would rather die than suffer indignity. 2.4.3.
Greatness
971 The light of life is mental energy; disgrace is his Who says, 'I 'ill lead a happy life devoid of this.' One's light is the abundance of one's courage; one's darkness is the desire to live destitute of such (a state of mind.) 972 All men that live are one in circumstances of birth; Diversities of works give each his special worth. All human beings agree as regards their birth but differ as regards their characteristics, because of the different qualities of their actions. 973 The men of lofty line, whose souls are mean, are never great The men of lowly birth, when high of soul, are not of low estate. Though (raised) above, the base cannot become great; though (brought) low, the great cannot become base. 974 Like single-hearted women, greatness too,