Better to live on beggar's bread With those we love alive, Than taste their blood in rich feasts spread, And guiltily survive! Ah! were it worse-who knows?--to be Victor or vanquished here, When those confront us angrily Whose death leaves living drear? In pity lost, by doubtings tossed, My thoughts-distracted-turn To Thee, the Guide I reverence most, That I may counsel learn: I know not what would heal the grief Burned into soul and sense, If I were earth's unchallenged chief-- A god--and these gone thence!BhG 2.4 · Bhagavad Gita
BhG 2.4
Bhagavad Gita · translated by Edwin Arnold
Themes in this passage
CompassionDeathGriefHealingLoveNaturePovertyThe Soul
Compassion in other traditions
The same theme, as Christianity, Taoism, Islam and Buddhism address it.
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.2 Peter 1:7 · Bible · 2 Peter
Thus it was that when the Tao was lost, its attributes appeared; when its attributes were lost, benevolence appeared; when benevolence was lost, righteousness appeared; and when righteousness was lost, the proprieties appeared.Tao Te Ching 38.5 · Tao Te Ching
And compassion from Our presence, and purity; and he was devout,Quran 19:13 · Quran · Mary
The disciples of Gotama are always well awake, and their mind day and night always delights in compassion.Dhp 21.300 · Dhammapada · Miscellaneous
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