The Possession of Patience, Forbearance

The Possession of Patience, Forbearance

1

As earth bears up the men who delve into her breast,

To bear with scornful men of virtues is the best.

Meanings :)

To bear with those who revile us, just as the earth bears up those who dig it, is the first of virtues.

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2

Forgiving trespasses is good always;

Forgetting them hath even higher praise;

Meanings :)

Bear with reproach even when you can retaliate; but to forget it will be still better than that.

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3

The sorest poverty is bidding guest unfed depart;

The mightiest might to bear with men of foolish heart.

Meanings :)

To neglect hospitality is poverty of poverty. To bear with the ignorant is might of might.

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4

Seek'st thou honour never tarnished to retain;

So must thou patience, guarding evermore, maintain.

Meanings :)

If you desire that greatness should never leave, you preserve in your conduct the exercise of patience.

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5

Who wreak their wrath as worthless are despised;

Who patiently forbear as gold are prized.

Meanings :)

(The wise) will not at all esteem the resentful. They will esteem the patient just as the gold which they lay up with care.

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6

Who wreak their wrath have pleasure for a day;

Who bear have praise till earth shall pass away.

Meanings :)

The pleasure of the resentful continues for a day. The praise of the patient will continue until (the final destruction of) the world.

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7

Though others work thee ill, thus shalt thou blessing reap;

Grieve for their sin, thyself from vicious action keep!

Meanings :)

Though others inflict injuries on you, yet compassionating the evil (that will come upon them) it will be well not to do them anything contrary to virtue.

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8

With overweening pride when men with injuries assail,

By thine own righteous dealing shalt thou mightily prevail.

Meanings :)

Let a man by patience overcome those who through pride commit excesses.

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9

They who transgressors' evil words endure

With patience, are as stern ascetics pure.

Meanings :)

Those who bear with the uncourteous speech of the insolent are as pure as the ascetics.

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10

Though 'great' we deem the men that fast and suffer pain,

Who others' bitter words endure, the foremost place obtain.

Meanings :)

Those who endure abstinence from food are great, next to those who endure the uncourteous speech of others.

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