93. Avoidance of Drunkenness

Those who crave intoxicating drink each day
will never be feared and never find fame.

Do not drink liquor. If some wish to, let it be those
who have no wish for the esteem of exemplary men.

The sight of a drunken man's revelry is unbearable
even to his own mother. How, then, must it appear to the wise? 

The virtuous damsel called Decency will turn her back
on men who indulge in the vile vice called drunkenness.

Spending one's wealth to purchase self-oblivion
results from being oblivious to proper conduct.

Those who always sleep are akin to the dead.
Those who constantly drink are like men who take poison. 

The drooping eyes of those who secretly drink betray that secret, 
evoking their neighbor's relentless ridicule.

Stop denying, "I never drink," for next time you drink,
your mind's hidden deception will be betrayed then and there.

One may as well carry a candle under water to search for
a drowned man as use reason to sober a drunk drowned in drink.

Why can't the drunkard who, when sober, sees another's drunken 
stupor realize the degrading shame of his own drunkenness?