1. The great man is not belittled
By the smallness of the small man

2. Rather, the small man is made greater
By serving the great man

3. And precious eloquence is carried on
The most inferior of mounts

4. What does the splendor of the full moon care
If a star is less bright

5. Neither does a torrent care if its course
Flows over crumbling earth

6. Nor is the greatness of the ocean
Diminished by a small boat

7. You have increased my honor and not
Reduced your own by my presence

8. Like fire that loses no brightness
When another lights from it his torch

9. To receive tradition is easy
For a student with good company

10. Have you not seen the sea shrug off
Stirred by the slightest storms

11. And people are like one body
The whole dependent on each part

12. So the essential member relies
On the strength of the fragile part

13. As the lengthy lance depends
On the power of the shorter hand