II.61Perfectness
All goodly things are duties to the men, they say
Who set themselves to walk in virtue's perfect way.
It is said that those who are conscious of their duty and behave with a perfect goodness will regard as natural all that is good.
The good of inward excellence they claim,
The perfect men; all other good is only good in name.
The only delight of the perfect is that of their goodness; all other (sensual) delights are not to be included among any (true) delights.
Love, modesty, beneficence, benignant grace,
With truth, are pillars five of perfect virtue's resting-place.
Affection, fear (of sin), benevolence, favour and truthfulness; these are the five pillars on which perfect goodness rests.
The type of 'penitence' is virtuous good that nothing slays;
To speak no ill of other men is perfect virtue's praise.
Penance consists in the goodness that kills not , and perfection in the goodness that tells not others' faults.
Submission is the might of men of mighty acts; the sage
With that same weapon stills his foeman's rage.
Stooping (to inferiors) is the strength of those who can accomplish (an undertaking); and that is the weapon with which the great avert their foes.
What is perfection's test? The equal mind.
To bear repulse from even meaner men resigned.
The touch-stone of perfection is to receive a defeat even at the hands of one's inferiors.
What fruit doth your perfection yield you, say!
Unless to men who work you ill good repay?
Of what avail is perfect goodness if it cannot do pleasing things even to those who have pained (it) ?
To soul with perfect virtue's strength endued,
Brings no disgrace the lack of every earthly good.
Poverty is no disgrace to one who abounds in good qualities.
Call them of perfect virtue's sea the shore,
Who, though the fates should fail, fail not for evermore.
Those who are said to be the shore of the sea of perfection will never change, though ages may change.
The mighty earth its burthen to sustain must cease,
If perfect virtue of the perfect men decrease.
If there is a defect in the character of the perfect, (even) the great world cannot bear (its) burden.