1. When a man's chest is too narrow for his secret thoughts
They overflow into mine, which is capacious enough to hold them

2. When something is gone, be patient over its going
And do not pursue a thing once it has escaped you, with distress

3. In giving up hope of recovering what is lost there is honor and peace
Both wealth and poverty lie there, O kindler of greed

4. When two friends tug at a rope in contention
If one relaxes his grip, the rope goes slack and separates

5. And do not dig a well intending harm to a brother
For it is you, not he, who will fall into it

6. And every man who unjustly seeks ascendancy over people
The consequences of what he did will strike him down, despite his resistance