2-"THE CHARACTER OF A HAPPY LIFE."

CONTEXT:

In this poem the poet has admired the qualities of a man who leads a happy life in this world. He is honest and is contented with his lot. He is not afraid of death. He is not jealous of others and hates flattery. He has no enemies and leads a peaceful life. He is fair in his dealing with others. He worships God day and night and does not harm his fellow beings.

STANZA NO. 1: "How happy is he----------------------------------- simple truth his utmost skill."

In this stanza, giving the qualities of a happy man the poet says that a man who is not slaving to other people’s wishes is very lucky. He is the master of his own will. His thoughts are free and he does not follow others blindly. His simple and honest thoughts save him from evils. He always speaks truth. His dealings with other are fair and he does not deceive anyone.

STANZA NO. 2: "Whose passions not------------------------------- fame or private breath."

In this stanza the poet says that a happy man is not a slave to his passion. He keeps his passion under control. His desires are limited. He is not greedy. His life is free from sins, he is therefore not afraid of death. He does not care of public fame. He is free from cares of life and leads a simple life in this world.

STANZA NO. 3: "Who envies none-------------------------------- rules of state, but rules of good."

In this stanza giving the qualities of happy man the poet says that a happy man does not feels jealous of those who have got high places in life by chance or by using foul or fair means. He is satisfied with what he has. He is not flattered by praise, not does he flatter others, because he knows the harmful effect of flattery. In his daily dealings with others he follows the rules of good. It means that he is not cunning, but simple and straightforward and is not deceitful.

STANZA NO. 4: "Who hath his---------------------------------- make accusers great."

In this stanza giving the qualities of a happy man. The poet says that a man of good character does not spread rumors. He knows that spreading rumors is not good for society. His life is free from public fame or blame. He only follows what conscience guides him. His state is not so great that it can feed flatters or make his enemies happy on his ruin. It means that he can neither be cheated by false and insincere friends, nor can enemies. He is honest and his dealing with others is fair.

In this stanza the poet says that a happy man worships God day and night for his grace and not for gifts for him. He knows that God is the master of his fate. Such a man does not harm his fellow beings. He is not ambitious and leads a simple life. He passes his time either in the company of a good friend or by reading well books. He lives a noble life.

In these lines the poet gives us the qualities of a happy man and says that such a man is free from the love of material progress. He does not want high position in life. He has complete control over his desires. Although he has no wealth. Yet he is happy and contented because he has complete peace of mind. He does not care for health because he has the wealth of character.

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  MANSOOR ALI SHAH.