Do not ever be an unscrewed bottle
And never move with a clatter or rattle
Do not talk in silly babbles
Do not preach but set examples
Never while away your wakeful hours
To dissipate your innate powers
Never make a day of your night
By thoughts that on your mind alight
Of wealth, youth and clout, do not boast
Time consumes them like the winter frost
Treat them as mere illusions at worst
Or heavenly bounties at the most
Be truthful, honest and upright
Think always and do what is right
Never behave and act like a knave
You are a free man, no more a slave
Think only of this day, not tomorrow
As somber dreams might bring you sorrow
Never forage into the foregone past
But to keep lessons for life to last
Every human is unique, do not whine
To borrow or steal from others to shine
Lift thyself by thoughts and deeds divine
Do not sink too low and to your fate resign
Do not flow with the stream of madding crowd
In drunken revelry shouting aloud
But think and act for the earthly good
Goodness will permeate to make you proud
Noble words and deeds, learn to praise
Evil ones, with courage despise
Chant not mournful eulogies in vain to raise
The blessed souls from their resting place
Our actions are governed by the laws of motion
Virtuous or vile, nurture not the notion
“I am above nature’s law”, but move with caution
In your action for self or the nation
Work is the very symbol of life, not merely to earn
A living; listen to wise men to learn
Continually to face hardship and to discern
Good from evil at every turn
Bury the past, the bards in unison sing;
For, the bitter memories do bite or sting
Reminisce the lessons that in your ears ring
Not to repeat the regrets they bring
When I falter in my steps, I am aware
My soul whispers low, my child beware!
When from the rightful path I stray
My soul awakens and shows the way
Do not aim to climb the dizzy heights of fame
A likely fall is sure to maim
Earthly glory, glamour and name
Fade with time; your temptations tame
Work out as much as you can, rust not
Earn as much as you can, seek not
Save as much as you can, hoard not
Give as much as you can, lend not
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem