Living
Epigram LXXXIV
Translated by Paul Elmer More (1898) · From A Century of Indian Epigrams (1898)
Living
Say not the words, " 'T is I! 't is mine!"
They are the fatal seed
Of future lives upspringing like a weed.
Say rather, " 'Tis not I! not mine!"
New life from old desire
Still flames, — withhold the fuel, and where's the fire?
Cite this poem
MLA
Bhartrihari. “Epigram LXXXIV.” Translated by Paul Elmer More. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/bhartrihari/79/.
Chicago
Bhartrihari. “Epigram LXXXIV.” Translated by Paul Elmer More. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/bhartrihari/79/.
Read this poem with the Codex →