atraiva paramotkarṣaḥ śṛṅgārasya pratiṣṭhitaḥ ||
(Ujjvala-nīlamaṇi: 1.19)
“The ultimate excellence of śṛṅgāra [-rasa] is established only here [i.e., only in a relation with a paramour and the unique līlā that can take place only with a paramour].”
brahma-hatyā surāpānaṁ steyaṁ gurv-aṅganāgamaḥ |
mahānti pātakāny āhuḥ saṁsargaś cāpi taiḥ saha ||
(Manu Smṛti: 11.54)
“Killing a brāhmaṇa, drinking wine, stealing, and intercourse with the guru’s wife are called extreme sins (mahāpātakas), as is association with them [i.e., with persons who commit them].”
paṭhakāḥ pāṭhakāś caiva ye cānye śāstra-cintakāḥ |
sarve vyasanino mūrkhā yaḥ kriyāvān sa paṇḍitaḥ ||
(Mahābhārata: 3.313.110)
“All the students, teachers, and others who consider śāstra but are addicted to vices are fools. One who engages in practice [of all that is taught in śāstra] is wise.”
paropadeśa-velāyāṁ śiṣṭāḥ sarve bhavanti vai |
vismarantīha śiṣṭatvaṁ svakārye samupasthite ||
(Mahābhārata)
“At the time of giving advice to others, everyone is certainly wise [alt., cultured, proper, etc., or so they think]. When their own duty [alt., tasks, responsibility, difficulty, etc.] arises [however] they then forget all their wisdom [alt., culturedness, propriety, etc.].”
śreyāṁsi bahu-vighnāni bhavanti mahatām api |
aśreyasi pravṛttānāṁ dūraṁ yānti vināyakāḥ ||
(Unknown source)
“There are many obstacles to good works, even for the great. Impediments go away, however, from those engaged in harmful work.”
śreyāṁsi bahu-vighnāni sambhavanti pade pade |
(Garuḍa Purāṇa)
“Many obstacles to beneficial endeavors can arise at every step.”
riktaḥ sarvo bhavati hi laghuḥ pūrṇatā gauravāya |
(Megha-dūta: 1.20)
“All that is empty [i.e., devoid of substance] becomes light [i.e., trifling, neglected, etc.]. Fullness [i.e., quality and abundance] leads to weightiness [i.e., importance, respect, desirability, etc.].”
yasya naisargikī śobhā tan na saṁskāram arhati |
kaḥ kalām śaśino mārṣṭi kaustubhaḥ kena rajyate ||
(Unknown source)
“That which possesses inherent beauty does not require embellishment [to make it appealing]. Who sweeps the digits of the moon? By whom is the Kaustubha reddened?”
na ratnam anviṣyati mṛgyate hi tat |
(Kumāra-sambhava: 5.45)
“A jewel does not seek. It is rather sought.”
ataś ca dharmibhiḥ pumbhir anīhārthaḥ praśasyate |
prakṣālanād dhi paṅkasya dūrād asparśanaṁ varam ||
(Mahābhārata: 3.2.47)
“Therefore, indifference towards wealth on the part of dharmic persons is praiseworthy. Remaining untouched by mud from afar is certainly better than washing [it off after touching it].”
