The Laughable Stories Collected by Mar Gregory John

PROFITABLE SAYINGS OF THE INDIAN SAGES. 29
'though the water which is poured upon the fire is
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'heated thereby, it nevertheless extinguisheth it."
CXIII. Another Indian sage said, "Wine maketh those
"who drink it to have four peculiarities. First of all
"it maketh a man like a peacock, that is to say he is
"pleased with his manner and movements; next he is
"like unto the ape, that is to say he beginneth to
"chatter with every one; next he is like a lion which
"relieth upon his strength and is puffed up; next he
"is like the swine, for having drunk immoderately he
"walloweth in the mire, and finally he vomiteth and
"rejoiceth after the manner of the beast."
CXIV. Another Indian sage said, "Wise men are'-'''
"those who suffer in their souls, but the fools are those
"who suffer in their bodies."
CXV. Another Indian sage was asked, "Which is the
"worst country?" And he replied, "That in which there
"is neither plenty nor peace."
CXVI. Another Indian sage said, "It is good for a^^
"man to approach his friend in a moderate spirit. For,
"behold, when a pillar is set in the sun, being parti-
"ally in the shadow, its shadow is increased, but
"when it is too much in the shade its shadow is di-
"minished."
CXVII. Another Indian said, "There are six things^
"which abide not:— The shadow of a cloud, the friend-
"ship of fools, the love of women, overflowing wealth,
"the king who oppresseth, and lying praise."
CXVIII. Another Indian sage said, "There are five
"classes of men who weary their own souls and those
"of their neighbours:— The ignorant man who devot-
"eth himself to the teaching of others; the man who
"desireth that which cometh not to him; the governor