1. From polished marble they sculpted his image,
And around it groups circulated from every side.

2. They said, “We made it to immortalize his form,”
I said, “Will it not perish as traces perish?”

3. They said, “We erected it in acknowledgement of his merit,”
I said, “Who then appreciates merit in stone?”

4. They said, “He was a wealthy man who gave generously,”
I said to them, “Was he more generous than rain?”

5. They said, “A strong man who lived protecting our reputations,”
I said to them, “Was he stronger than fate?”

6. Whether he was wealthy or strong, he
Prevailed through your wealth and your might.

7. He did not idolize you nor did you care for him
As you have for each other - but for profit and loss.

8. You did not erect the statue for valor and munificence
But from weakness hidden in your souls.

9. Thus you do not love the wealthy when he becomes poor
Nor the strong when he is defeated.

10. I have seen you do not frequent a meadow
When there is no shade or fruit in the meadow.

11. You only feed the sheep to fatten it
And own horses only for travel.

12. If appreciating virtue for virtue’s sake were your way
And you were not remiss in sight, hearing, and perception,

13. Why then did you not honor night and daybreak
And erect a statue to the sun and the moon?