61. Avoidance of Idleness

The eternal flame of a family vanishes
when eclipsed by that dark cloud called idleness.

Let those who wish their family to be a noble family
call laziness "laziness" and live without it.

The simpleton whose actions are stifled by ruinous indolence
will see his family perish before he dies.

Their families decrease and their vices increase when men,
ensnared in sloth, do not put forth earnest effort.

Procrastination, forgetfulness, sloth and sleep--
these four shape the ship bearing those destined for ruin.

Seldom do languid men achieve anything special,
even when supported by the world's wealthy proprietors.

Idle men, incapable of honorable exertion,
invite scorn and suffer the shame of scolding words.

If languor is allowed to linger in aristocrats,
they will be forced into servitude under foes.

Disgrace that has come upon a man and his family 
will disappear the moment he casts out laziness.

A king devoid of indolence will thereby procure all that
cosmic expanse measured by God's immeasurable strides.