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The Character Of A Happy Life

Sir Henry Wotton

About The Author

Sir Henry Wotton was an English author, diplomat and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1614 and 1625. He is often quoted as saying, "An ambassador is an honest gentleman sent to lie abroad for the good of his country.

 

More about ‘Sir Henry Wotton’: Wikipedia_https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wotton

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About The Poem

'The Character of a Happy Life' is a simple, straightforward poem in which Sir Henry Wotton sets out the principles of a good life and what a man should avoid at all costs. The poem addresses themes of happiness, joy, simplicity, and religion.

The Character of a Happy Life

by:Sir Henry Wotton

How happy is he born and taught

That serveth not another's will;

Whose armour is his honest thought,

And simple truth his utmost skill!

(That serveth not another's will)



 

Whose passions not his masters are;

Whose soul is still prepared for death,

Untied unto the world by care

Of public fame or private breath;

(Whose soul is still prepared for death)

 

Who envies none that chance doth raise,

Nor vice; who never understood

How deepest wounds are given by praise;

Nor rules of state, but rules of good;

 

Who hath his life from rumours freed;

Whose conscience is his strong retreat;

Whose state can neither flatterers feed,

Nor ruin make oppressors great;

 

Who God doth late and early pray

More of His grace than gifts to lend;

And entertains the harmless day

With a religious book or friend;

 

—This man is freed from servile bands

Of hope to rise or fear to fall

Lord of himself, though not of lands,

And having nothing, yet hath all.

(Lord of himself, though not of lands,

And having nothing, yet hath all)

वो सच्चा इंसां कहलाता है 

लेखक :
सर हेनरी वॉटन

Transcreated By: 
'Ambar' Kharbanda

जो अपने किरदार से जाना जाता है

जो अपने होने का मान बढ़ाता है

रख लेता है बचा के जो भोलेपन को

वही तो इक सच्चा इंसां कहलाता है


 

कौन सोचता है क्या कुछ उसके बारे

इस बारे में सोच न वो घबराता है

राय किसी की असर नहीं करती उस पर

ख़ुश रहता वो शान से जीता जाता है

 

सच्चाई पर रहना जिसकी आदत हो

और सादगी जिस बन्दे की फ़ितरत हो

दुनिया वालों से उसको कुछ बैर न हो

बस वो चाहे ख़ुदा की उस पर रहमत हो

 

दौलत की भी उसे ज़ियादा चाह न हो

जिस पर भी वो चले वो उलझी राह न हो

सच्चाई का दामन छूट न जाए बस

इसके अलावा उसे कोई परवाह न हो

 

उठने की चाहत हो न डर गिरने का

अपने भाग्य का वो ख़ुद ही निर्माता है

उसके पास न हो कुछ भी पर सब कुछ है

उसको ख़ुश रहना हर हाल में आता है


 

उसकी अपनी मंजिल, अपना रस्ता है

उस रस्ते पर शान से बढ़ता जाता है

क़ायम रहता है वो सख़्त उसूलों पर

तभी तो वो सच्चा इंसां कहलाता है

 

उसकी अपनी मंजिल, अपना रस्ता है

उस रस्ते पर शान से बढ़ता जाता है

तभी तो वो सच्चा इंसां कहलाता है

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