Chapter 21 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 21

Valmiki Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda

Verse 21.6

अवलेपः समुद्रस्य न दर्शयति यः स्वयम्। प्रशमश्च क्षमा चैव आर्जवं प्रियवादिता॥ असामर्थ्यफला ह्येते निर्गुणेषु सतां गुणाः।

avalepaḥ samudrasya na darśayati yaḥ svayam| praśamaśca kṣamā caiva ārjavaṃ priyavāditā|| asāmarthyaphalā hyete nirguṇeṣu satāṃ guṇāḥ|

English Meaning

Behold the hauteur of the Ocean in not presenting himself before Calmness, forbearance, candour, and soft speech-these virtues of the good are by the insolent taken for the effects of incompetency.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)