"Duryodhana said,--'O Kshatta, thou art always boasting of the fame of
our enemies, deprecating the sons of Dhritarashtra. We know, O Vidura,
of whom thou art really fond. Thou always disregardest us as children.
That man standeth contest, who wisheth for success unto those that are
near to him and defeat unto those that are not his favourites. His
praise and blame are applied accordingly. Thy tongue and mind betray
thy heart. But the hostility thou showeth in speech is even greater
than what is in thy heart. Thou hast been cherished by us like a
serpent on our lap. Like a cat thou wishest evil unto him that
cherisheth thee. The wise have said that there is no sin graver than
that of injuring one's master. How is it, O Kshatta, that thou dost not
fear this sin? Having vanquished our enemies we have obtained great
advantages. Use not harsh words in respect of us. Thou art always
willing to make peace with the foes. And it is for this reason that
thou hatest us always. A man becometh a foe by speaking words that are
unpardonable. Then again in praising the enemy, the secrets of one's
own party should not be divulged. (Thou however, transgressest this
rule). Therefore, O thou parasite, why dost thou obstruct us so? Thou
sayest whatever thou wishest. Insult us not. We know thy mind. Go and
learn sitting at the feet of the old. Keen up the reputation that thou
hast won. Meddle not with the affairs of other men. Do not imagine that
thou art our chief. Tell us not harsh words always, O Vidura. We do not
ask thee what is for our good. Cease, irritate not those that have
already borne too much at thy hands. There is only one Controller, no
second. He controlleth even the child that is in the mother's womb. I
am controlled by Him. Like water that always floweth in a downward
course, I am acting precisely in the way in which He is directing me.
He that breaketh his head against a stone-wall, and he that feedeth a
serpent, are guided in those acts of theirs by their own intellect.
(Therefore, in this matter I am guided by my own intelligence). He
becometh a foe who seeketh to control others by force. When advice,
however, is offered in a friendly spirit, the learned bear with it. He
again that hath set fire to such a highly inflammable object as
camphor, beholdeth not its ashes, if he runneth immediately to
extinguish it. One should not give shelter to another who is the friend
of his foes, or to another who is ever jealous of his protector or to
another who is evil-minded. Therefore, O Vidura, go whither-so-ever
thou pleasest. A wife that is unchaste, however well-treated, forsaketh
her husband yet.'
"Vidura addressing Dhritarashtra, said, 'O monarch, tell us
(impartially) like a witness what thou thinkest of the conduct of those
who abandon their serving-men thus for giving instruction to them. The
hearts of kings are, indeed, very fickle. Granting protection at first,
they strike with clubs at last. O prince (Duryodhana), thou regardest
thyself as mature in intellect, and, O thou of bad heart, thou
regardest me as a child. But consider that he is a child who having
first accepted one for a friend, subsequently findeth fault with him.
An evil-hearted man can never be brought to the path of rectitude, like
an unchaste wife in the house of a well-born person. Assuredly,
instruction is not agreeable to this bull of the Bharata race like a
husband of sixty years to a damsel that is young. After this, O king,
if thou wishest to hear words that are agreeable to thee, in respect of
all acts good or bad, ask thou women and idiots and cripples or persons
of that description. A sinful man speaking words that are agreeable may
be had in this world. But a speaker of words that are disagreeable
though sound as regimen, or a hearer of the same, is very rare. He
indeed, is a king's true ally who disregarding what is agreeable or
disagreeable to his master beareth himself virtuously and uttereth what
may be disagreeable but necessary as regimen. O great king, drink thou
that which the honest drink and the dishonest shun, even humility,
which is like a medicine that is bitter, pungent, burning,
unintoxicating, disagreeable, and revolting. And drinking it, O king,
regain thou thy sobriety. I always wish Dhritarashtra and his sons
affluence and fame. Happen what may unto thee, here I bow to thee (and
take my leave). Let the Brahmanas wish me well. O son of Kuru, this is
the lesson I carefully inculcate, that the wise should never enrage
such as adders as have venom in their very glances!'