ཀླའ་རྒྱལ་པ་རྔ་སྒྲའ་ཚགས་ས་བཅད་པ 6

6

Whether in pleasure or in pain,
They never forsake their virtuous goals.

“ ‘The learned are not deceitful,
Being neither deluded, nor scornful, nor angry.
Misfortune does not cause them suffering—
So how could they be affected when others harm them?

“ ‘They are not the type of inferior person
Who is overly impetuous or diffident.
Keeping an even keel
Is a characteristic of such learned ones.

“ ‘Excessive impetuosity leads to perpetual resentment,
While excessive diffidence leads to perpetual loathing.
Therefore, by avoiding these two,
One should maintain a balanced position.

“ ‘Act deaf and mute at times,
But command like a ruler when the time is right.
Remain cool like a snow mountain at times,
But burn like fire when the time is right.

“ ‘Be humble like the grass at times,
But stand firm like a mountain when the time is right.
Act like a king at times,
But leave for the forest like a sage when the time is right.

“ ‘Accept hunger and thirst at times,
And embrace pain and pleasure at other times.
Avoid being exploited like a servant for the sake of wealth,
And do not let yourself be controlled by anger.

“ ‘Take pleasure in song and music at times;
And relish meat and alcohol.
Move cautiously like a deer at times,
Yet display the prowess of a predator when the time is right.

“ ‘Initially, assess whether or not the time is right,
Whether or not you have the necessary strength,
And whether there will be success or failure—
Only then should you act upon the matter.

“ ‘Be patient with those who are impatient,
And also with those who are patient.
Be patient with those who are weak,
And always with those who are strong.

“ ‘Since hostility never pacifies hostility,