Chapter 94: Gaming

931.
Seek not the gamester's play; though you should win,
Your gain is as the baited hook the fish takes in.

932.
Is there for gamblers, too, that gaining one a hundred lose, some way
That they may good obtain, and see a prosperous day?

933.
If prince unceasing speak of nought but play,
Treasure and revenue will pass from him away.

934.
Gaming brings many woes, and ruins fair renown;
Nothing to want brings men so surely down.

935.
The dice, and gaming-hall, and gamester's art, they eager sought,
Thirsting for gain — the men in other days who came to nought.

936.
Gambling's Misfortune's other name: o'er whom she casts her veil,
They suffer grievous want, and sorrows sore bewail.

937.
Ancestral wealth and noble fame to ruin haste,
If men in gambler's halls their precious moments waste.

938.
Gambling wastes wealth, to falsehood bends the soul; it drives away
All grace, and leaves the man to utter misery a prey.

939.
Clothes, wealth, food, praise, and learning, all depart
From him on gambler's gain who sets his heart.

940.
Howe'er he lose, the gambler's heart is ever in the play;
E'en so the soul, despite its griefs, would live on earth alway.