Tuesday, November 25, 2014

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

विप्रास्मिन्नगरे महान्कथय कस्तालद्रुमाणां गणः
को दाता रजको ददाति वसनं प्रातर्गृहीत्वा निशि ।
को दक्षः परवित्तदारहरणे सर्वोऽपि दक्षो जनः
कस्माज्जीवसि हे सखे विषकृमिन्यायेन जीवाम्यहम् ॥
- चाणक्यनीतिः

A conversation between a Brahmin who dwells in a city and a newly arrived stranger.
"O Brahmin, tell me, who in this city is noble-minded."
"A bunch of palm trees"
"Who is a generous giver (in this city)?"
"The laundryman, who collects clothes every morning and promptly gives them back in the night."
"Who is skillful?"
"Everyone is an expert in robbing others of their wealth and wives."
"O my friend, how do you live in such a city?"
"I live by the maxim of worms in poison."
(The maxim of a worm in poison states that such a worm is accustomed to its environment and is unaffected by the poison)

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Everything looks perfect from far away.
Be the change you want to see in the world.