1. The stages of the self are not truly known,
And he who claims he knows them is mistaken.

2. The eye perceives nothing but its own vision,
And the hand grasps nothing but its own wrist.

3. Flattery keeps the mind far from knowing itself,
And the self is deluded by those who flatter it.

4. Indeed, flattery blinds the ignorant,
Like a dense cloud veiling the eyes.

5. Sincere love frees you from your own faults, not
A hypocrite adorning your defects to hide them.

6. The wisest people are those who show humility,
Admitting their own faults instead of hiding them.

7. But foolishness is to block self-criticism
When the ego is inclined to boast and pretend.

8. I saw what you cannot see in yourself. If only
You heard those who criticize you behind your back.

9. An enemy's opinion may be kinder than
A friend constantly praising you to your face.

10. So turn a blind eye if secrets were revealed
Exposing matters you try hard to conceal.

11. And forgive them where you know they judge you fairly
In their views which you keep hidden warily.

12. Abandon your ego which admires itself
Without cause, and stop going to extremes.

13. Happiest are those whose virtue
Guides them to honest self-critique.

14. And those who see themselves as others do
Will find, when boastful, their words ring untrue.