Couplet 31
It yields distinction, yields prosperity; what gain
Greater than virtue can a living man obtain
Explanation
Virtue will confer heaven and wealth; what greater source of happiness can man possess ?
Couplet 32
No greater gain than virtue aught can cause;
No greater loss than life oblivious of her laws
Explanation
There can be no greater source of good than (the practice of) virtue; there can be no greater source of evil than the forgetfulness of it
Couplet 33
To finish virtue's work with ceaseless effort strive,
What way thou may'st, where'er thou see'st the work may thrive
Explanation
As much as possible, in every way, incessantly practise virtue
Couplet 34
Spotless be thou in mind! This only merits virtue's name;
All else, mere pomp of idle sound, no real worth can claim
Explanation
Let him who does virtuous deeds be of spotless mind; to that extent is virtue; all else is vain show
Couplet 35
'Tis virtue when, his footsteps sliding not through envy, wrath,
Lust, evil speech-these four, man onwards moves in ordered path
Explanation
That conduct is virtue which is free from these four things, viz, malice, desire, anger and bitter speech
Couplet 36
Do deeds of virtue now Say not, 'To-morrow we'll be wise';
Thus, when thou diest, shalt thou find a help that never dies
Explanation
Defer not virtue to another day; receive her now; and at the dying hour she will be your undying friend
Couplet 37
Needs not in words to dwell on virtue's fruits: compare
The man in litter borne with them that toiling bear
Explanation
The fruit of virtue need not be described in books; it may be inferred from seeing the bearer of a palanquin and the rider therein
Couplet 38
If no day passing idly, good to do each day you toil,
A stone it will be to block the way of future days of moil
Explanation
If one allows no day to pass without some good being done, his conduct will be a stone to block up the passage to other births
Couplet 39
What from virtue floweth, yieldeth dear delight;
All else extern, is void of glory's light
Explanation
Only that pleasure which flows from domestic virtue is pleasure; all else is not pleasure, and it is without praise
Couplet 40
'Virtue' sums the things that should be done;
'Vice' sums the things that man should shun
Explanation
That is virtue which each ought to do, and that is vice which each should shun
