Words of Advice From a King

In studying various problems, one must think well.

Even adults with good behavior 

Are still subjected to distraction;

A good man can become wicked;

A modest man can become grand.

Sometimes one might mistake a horse for a donkey,

Take a goose for a duck,

Think a winged bean for a liana,

Keep the lead and toss away the silver,

Mistake engraved copper for gold.

That is why it is worth thinking,

To reason, to smell the air

To identify the flavor, the fragrance

Good or bad,

Delectable and exciting. 

Chbab Rajaneti (Moral Codes of Conduct: The King’s Neither This Nor That)

By Sri Dharmaraja II of Cambodia (reign 1627-1631)