(with misery), and as lead to hell.  Wordy shafts fall from the lips.  Pierced therewith one (to whom they are directed) burns incessantly.  Those shafts do not strike any part other than the very vitals of the person aimed.  Hence he that is possessed of learning should never aim them at others.  If a person deeply pierces a man of wisdom with wordy shafts, the wise mart should then adopt peace (without giving way to wrath).  The man who, though sought to be angered, rejoices without yielding to anger, taketh away from the provoker all his merits.  That man of righteous soul, who, full of joy and freed from malice, subdues his blazing wrath which, if indulged, would lead him to speak ill of others and verily become his foe, takes away the merits of others.  As regards myself, I never answer I when another speaks ill of me.  If assailed, I always forgive the assault.  The righteous are of opinion that forgiveness and truth and sincerity and compassion are the foremost (of all virtues).  Truth is the arcanum of the Vedas.  The arcanum of Truth is self-restraint.  The arcanum of self-restraint is Emancipation.  This is the teaching of all the scriptures.  I regard that person to be Brahmana and Muni who subjugates the rising impulse of speech, the impulse of wrath appearing in the mind, the impulse of thirst (after unworthy things), and the impulses of the stomach and the organ of pleasure.  One who does not yield to wrath is superior to one who does.  One who practises renunciation is superior to one who does not.  One who possesses the virtues of manhood is superior to one who has them not.  One who is endued with knowledge is superior to one who is destitute of it.  Assailed with harsh speeches one should not assail in return.  Indeed, one who, under such circumstances, renounces wrath, succeeds in burning the assailant and taking away all his merits.[1577] That person who when assailed with harsh speeches does not utter a harsh word in reply, who when praised does not utter what is agreeable to him that praises, who is endued with such fortitude as not to strike in return when struck and not to even wish evil to the striker, finds his companionship always coveted by the gods.  He that is sinful should be forgiven as if he were righteous, by one that is insulted, struck, and calumniated.  By acting in this way one attains to success.  Though all my objects have been fulfilled, yet I always wait reverentially on those that are righteous.  I have no thirst.  My wrath hath been suppressed.  Seduced by covetousness I do not fall away from the path of righteousness.  I do not also approach any one (with solicitations) for wealth.[1578] If cursed, I do not curse in return.  I know that self-restraint is the door of immortality.  I disclose unto you a great mystery.  There is no status that is superior to that of humanity.  Freed from sin like the Moon from murky clouds, the man of wisdom, shining in resplendence, attains to success by patiently waiting for his time.  A