by Raja Ali Haji (1808-1873)
[two_first]
This is the gurindam of the fifth issue:
If you wish to know the people of high birth,
in manners and speech are shown their worth.
To know the people of happiness,
avoid involvement in the meaningless.
To know the man of high distinction,
look upon his deeds and actions.
If you wish to know the people of wisdom
ask and learn without feeling boredom.
If those with intellect you would know
store provisions now in this life below.
If men of character you would recognize
among the masses observe how they fraternize.
[/two_first][two_second]
Ini gurindam pasal yang kelima:
Jika hendak mengenal orang berbangsa,
lihat kepada budi dan bahasa.
Jika hendak mengenal orang yang berbahagia,
sangat memeliharakan yang sia-sia.
Jika hendak mengenal orang mulia,
lihatlah kepada kelakuan dia.
Jika hendak mengenal orang yang berilmu,
bertanya dan belajar tiadalah jemu.
Jika hendak mengenal orang yang berakal,
di dalam dunia mengambil bekal.
Jika hendak mengenal orang yang baik perangai,
lihat pada ketika bercampur dengan orang ramai.
[/two_second]
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Gurindam Dua Belas is a 19th century Malay poem written in rhyming couplets with free meter. It has 12 parts, each dealing with a different pasal, or issue. It was composed by Raja Ali Haji (1808-1873), an intellectual of the Riau-Lingga court best known for his history Tuhfat al-Nafis (the Precious Gift). I’ll be posting my translations pasal by pasal.
