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Part I: On Virtue

Section I: Prologue

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Chapter 57: Avoidance of Tyranny

Verse 565
A guard, hand uplifted to control the crowd, shouts while another pushes a couple away from the king, not allowing them to meet him. Behind the king, who refuses his peoples entreaties, a demon has confiscated the royal treasury and hugs bags of gold coins.

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Weaver's Wisdom

Verse 561

He is a true king who impartially investigates
and then duly punishes so that the offense will not recur.

Verse 562

He who wishes his prosperity to long remain
will raise the rod severely, but let it fall softly.

Verse 563

The tyrant who causes dread in his people
will perish quickly and inevitably.

Verse 564

"Our king is cruel." When these bitter words are spoken,
the monarch's life is shortened, and he soon succumbs.

Verse 565

If a man's countenance is harsh and access to him is hard,
his wealth, however vast, might as well belong to a demon.

Verse 566

If a man is unkind and speaks cruelly,
his vast wealth will not last long before perishing.

Verse 567

Harsh language and overly severe punishment,
like a keen file, grind down a king's conquering powers.

Verse 568

A king's wealth wanes when, without thoughtful involvement,
he lets ministers work, then furiously faults their efforts.

Verse 569

The sovereign who does not secure defenses will be seized
by fear when wartime comes and promptly perish.

Verse 570

Earth bears no greater burden than crude counselors
that a cruel-sceptered king binds to his court.