१) दुर्जन

व्यालं बालमृणालतन्तुभिरसौ रोद्धुं समुज्जृम्भते छेत्तुं वज्रमणिं शिरीषकुसुमप्रान्तेन सन्नह्यति।
माधुर्यं मधुबिन्दुना रचयितुं क्षाराम्बुधेरीहते नेतुं वाञ्छति य: खलान् पथि सतां सूक्तै: सुधास्यन्दिभि:॥

Wanting to reform the wicked with nectar-sweet advice, is like trying to control an elephant with the pith of a lotus-stem, or cutting a diamond with delicate petals of the Shireesh flower, or sweetening the salty ocean with a drop of honey.

२) विवेक भ्रष्टा

शिर: शार्वं स्वर्गात्पततिशिरसस्तत् क्षितिधरं महीधादुत्तुङ्गादवनिमवनेश्चापि जलधिम्।
अधोऽधो गङ्गेयं पदमुपगता स्तोकमथवा विवेकभ्रष्टानां भवति विनिपात: शतमुख:॥

The Ganges descended from the heavens upon the head of Shiva, and thence, to the mountains. From the high mountains, she flowed down the plains to finally lapse into the sea. Thus, the Ganges kept drifting downwards from one level to another. Similarly, those who have lost their sagacity plunge downwards in a hundred ways. Note : The Ganges became proud that she emerged from Vishnu's feet, and lost her sense of bearing

३) विद्या हीन

येषां न विद्या न तपो न दानं ज्ञानं न शीलं न गुणो न धर्म:।
ते मत्र्यलोके भुवि भारभूता मनुष्यरूपेण मृगाश्चरन्ति॥

Those who are devoid of learning, restraint, charity, knowledge, moral conduct, virtue and righteousness are virtually animals living in the garb of men, and burdening the Earth.

४) दुर्जन

मणिनाऽलंकृत: सर्प: किमसी न भयंकर:।
दुर्जन: परिहर्तव्यो विद्यया भूषितोऽपि सन्॥

It is wise to keep a wicked man at arm's length even if he is embellished with knowledge. Is it not true that a snake even though crowned with a jewel is yet dreadful?

५) वाक्

केयूरा न विभूषयन्ति पुरुषं हारा न चन्द्रोज्ज्वला न स्नानं न विलेपनं न कुसुमं नालंकृता मूर्धजा:।
वाण्येका समलंकरोति पुरुषं या संस्कृता धार्यते क्षीयन्ते खलु भूषणानि सततं वाग्भूषणं भूषणम्॥

Bracelets do not adorn a person. Nor do pearl necklaces shining like the moon, or a cleansing bath; nor anointment of the body, nor flowers, nor decoration for the hair. It is cultured speech alone which embellishes a man. All other ornaments lose their glitter, only the jewel of speech ever remains the jewel of jewels.

६) विद्या

विद्या नाम नरस्य रूपमधिकं प्रच्छन्नगुप्तं धनं विद्या भोगकरी यश:सुखकरी विद्या गुरूणां गुरु:।
विद्या बन्धुजनो विदेशगमने विद्या परा देवता विद्या राजसु पूजिता न तु धनं विद्याविहीन: पशु:॥

Knowledge is certainly a man's greatest beauty. It is a safe and hidden treasure. It provides prosperity, fame and happiness. Knowledge is the guru of all gurus. It acts as one's friend in a foreign country. Knowledge is the Supreme God. It is the knowledge, not wealth, which is adored by kings. Without knowledge one remains as animal.

७) सत्सङ्ग

जाड्या धियो हरति सिञ्चति वाचि सत्यं मानोन्नतिं दिशति पापमपाकरोति।
चेत: प्रसादयति दिक्षु तनोति कीर्ति सत्संगति: कथय किं न करोति पुंसाम्॥

The companionship of good people removes the inertia of one's mind, nurtures truth in the speech, enhances prestige, expiates the sins, comforts the conscience, spreads the name and fame in all directions. Say! what good is there which the company of devout does not bring to a man.

८) उत्तमजना

प्रारभ्यते न खलु विघ्नभयेन नीचै: प्रारभ्य विघ्नविहिता विरमन्ति मध्या:।
विघ्नै: पुन: पुनरपि प्रतिहन्यमाना: प्रारभ्य चोत्तमजना न परित्यजन्ति॥

Base men do not undertake any work apprehending obstacles. Mediocres make a start, but cease working when they encounter hindrances. The men of excellence, however, after commencing a job do not give up despite of recurrence of impediments.

९) सज्जना

सिंह: शिशुरपि निपतति मदमलिनकपोलभित्तिषु गजेषु।
प्रकृतिरियं सत्त्ववतां न खलु वयस्तेजसो हेतु:॥

A lion's cub also attacks a frenzied elephant. Valour is inherent in the nature of the powerful, and age, as such, is of no consequence to their prowess.

१०) सज्जना

विपदि धैर्यमथाभ्युदये क्षमा सदसि वाक्पटुता युधि विक्रम:।
यशसि चाभिरुचिव्र्यसनं श्रुतो प्रकृतिसिद्धमिदं हि महात्मनाम्॥

Patience in adversity, magnanimity in ascendancy, eloquence in assembly, bravery in battle, aspiration for eminence and engrossment in the Scriptures are the self-evident attributes of great men.

११) धनं

दानं भोगो नाशस्तिस्रो गतयो भवन्ति वित्तस्य।
यो न ददाति न भुङ्क्ते तस्य तृतीया गतिर्भवति॥

There are only three ends of wealth-charity, enjoyment or destruction. One who neither gives, nor enjoys, leaves open only the third course for it.

१२) सेवाधर्म

मौनान्मूक: प्रवचनपटुर्वातुलो जल्पको वा धृष्ट: पाश्र्वे वसति च तदा दूरतश्चाप्रगल्भ:।
क्षान्त्याभीरुर्यदि न सहते प्रायशो नाभिजात: सेवाधर्म: परमगौनो योगिनामप्यगम्य:॥

The path of service is formidable. It is difficult even for a yogi to follow. If a man in service remains quiet, then he is called dumb. If he is quick-witted, then he is described as loquacious. If he stays close by, then he is taken to be audacious, and if he maintains a distance, then is considered as shy. If he is tolerant, then he is regarded as timid, and if he is unable to bear indignities, then he is known as ill bred.

१३) परोपकार

श्रोत्रं श्रुतेनैव न कुण्डलेन दानेन पाणिर्न तु कङ्कणेन।
विभाति काय: करुणापराणां परोपकारैर्न तु चन्दनेन॥

Ears are to be adorned by listening to the Scriptures and not with ear rings; hands by alms giving and not with bracelets, and body by benevolence and not with the application of sandal-paste.

१४) पुण्यम्

प्रीणाति य: सुचरितै: पितरं स पुत्रो यद्भर्तुरेव हितमिच्छति तत्कलत्रम्।
तन्मित्रमापदि सुखे च समक्रियं य- देतत्रयं जगति पुण्यकृतो लभन्ते॥

Indeed, a son is he who makes his father happy with his good deeds. The woman who is a well-wisher of her husband is a wife in the real sense. A friend who remains alike in times of happiness and misery, is a true friend. Verily, men obtain these three only as a result of their good deeds.

१५) मित्रम्

पापान्निवारयति योजयते हिताय गुह्यं च गूहति गुणान्प्रकटीकरोति।
आपद्गतं च न जहाति ददाति काले सन्मित्रलक्षणमिदं प्रवदन्ति सन्त:॥

He restrains his friend from committing sins, and induces him to do good deeds. He conceals the unseemly secrets of a friend, projecting only his good qualities. He does not desert his friend in difficulties, but gives timely assistance. Saints describe these as the characteristics of a true friend.

१६) लाभ

को लाभो गुणिसंगम: किमसुखं प्राज्ञेतरै: संगति: का हानि: समयच्युतिर्निपुणता का धर्मतत्त्वे रति:।
क: शूरो विजितेन्द्रिय: प्रियतमा कानुव्रता किं धनं विद्या किं सुखमप्रवासगमनं राज्यं किमाज्ञाफलम्॥

What is a grain? It is the companionship of the virtuous. What is grief? It is the company of fools. What is loss? It is the dissipation of time. What is prudence? It is devotion to virtue. What is velour? It is the conquest of the senses. Who is the beloved wife? One who is devoted to her husband. What is wealth? It is knowledge. What is happiness? It is to remain settled in one's own country. What is ruler ship? It is to command obedience.

१७) धीरा

निन्दन्तु नीतिनिपुणा यदि वा स्तुवन्तु लक्ष्मी: समाविशतु गच्छतु वा यथेष्टम्।
अद्यैव वा मरणमस्तु युगान्तरे वा न्याय्यात्पथ: प्रविचलन्ति पथं न धीरा:॥

Discerning men may slight or laud them, the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, may come or go as she likes, death may occur today or after ages; but strong-willed men do not deviate from the path of justice.

१८) सुविचार

कर्मायत्तं फलं पुंसां बुद्धि: कर्मानुसारिणी।
तथापि सुधिया भाव्यं सुविचार्यैव कुर्वता॥

The result of men's efforts depends upon fate. Intelligence is also determined by fate, yet wise men should think before acting.

१९) पण्डित

गुणवदगुणवद्वा कुर्वता कार्यमादौ परिणतिरवधार्यां यत्नत: पण्डितेन।
अतिरभसकृतानां कर्मणानां विपत्ते- र्भवति हृदयदाही शल्यतुल्यो विपाक:॥

Before taking any action, whether good or bad, wise men should carefully ponder over its consequences. Or else, the result of an act done in haste keeps piercing the heart like an arrow even after death.

२०) सुयोधन

अपचिक्रमिषु पूर्वं सेनां स्वां परिसान्त्वयन्।
विलङ्घयित्वा सत्रेण तत: स्वयमुपक्रमेत्॥

(A King) desiring to attack (an enemy) should first make his soldiers contented (by good pay and just treatment) and having injured (weakened) the enemy by strategy should himself then advance (to the attack).

२१) रहस्यम्

अपण्डितो वापि सुहृत् पण्डितो वाप्यनात्मवान्।
मन्त्रमूलं यतो राज्यम् अतो मन्त्रं सुरक्षितम्॥

A well-wisher (friendly) but not learned, and a learned man but unreliable (is no good), for kingship is maintained by wise counsel and therefore it (state secrets) should be well guarded.

२२) दुस्सङ्ग

अपथेनैव यो योगाद् अध: सारायते स्वयम्।
नीचोपसर्पणवशात् स पतेद् वंशवानपि॥

If a person, though of noble birth, associates himself with low people, considering it important, is doomed to a fall, as a person though holding a bamboo stick may precipitate into a fall if he takes a difficult path leading downwards.

२३) लोभी

अपथ्यमायतौ लोभाद् आमनन्त्यनुपजीविन:।
प्रियं शृणोति यस्तेभ्यस्तमृच्छन्ति न संपद:॥

Dependents give advice for taking an unbeneficial course actuated by greed (for their own future). He who listens to their pleasing words is not favoured by prosperity.

२४) सज्जना

अपमानितोऽपि कुलजो न वदति पुरुषं स्वभावदाक्षिण्यात्।
नहि मलयचन्दनतरु: परशुप्रहत: स्रवेत् पूयम्॥

One well born, though insulted, does not hit back in the same strain due to innate breeding (natural courtesy). The sandal tree of the Malaya mountain does not exude filth (even) to him who cuts it with an axe.

२५) सहिष्णु

परागसमीरणेरित: क्रमशीर्णाकुलमूलसंतति:।
सुकरस्तवत् सहिष्णुना रिपुरुन्मूलयितुं महानपि॥

An enemy, though powerful can be easily uprooted by a patient person, if he is shaken by the wind of disaffection and if his supporters are gradually estranged, like a tree which, though big, can be easily uprooted shaken by the wind and its mass of roots gradually giving way.