A heart of courage lives in light
Devoid of that one's life is night.
All beings are the same in birth
But work decides their varied worth.
Ignoble high not high they are
The noble low not low they fare
Greatness like woman's chastity
Is guarded by self-veracity.
Great souls when their will is active
Do mighty deeds rare to achieve
The petty-natured ones have not
The mind to seek and befriend the great.
The base with power and opulence
Wax with deeds of insolence.
Greatness bends with modesty
Meanness vaunts with vanity.
Greatness is free from insolence
Littleness swells with that offense.
Weakness of others greatness screens
Smallness defects alone proclaims.