Being about to undertake the job of a tutor

Of the eldest son of one famously known tycoon,

I first consulted with the divine Oracle,

My trusted Big Brother and an Old Hand, in one

Which predicted me the following verdict:

"He is one of the young men whose character

Is bad as it could be. If you allow him

To proceed in a bad way, it will be at the peril

Of his entire family and our community as well;

If you insist on his proceeding in a right way,

It will indeed be at the peril of your own person.

His mind is just sufficient to know the errors

And faults of others, throwing stones at them,

But he does not know how he errs himself."

I asked, "What am I to do in such a case?"

The Oracle said, "Good question indeed!

Be on your guard; be careful all the time,

See that you keep yourself clearly correct!

Your best plan will be with your person

To seek some associations with him

And with your wisdom to try to be

In harmony with his disposition and yet,

There are dangers connected with both

These things. Seeking to keep near to him,

You thus do not enter his pursuits and yet,

While cultivating a harmony of mind with him,

Evade showing how much superior you are to him

And this is only for your own safety; otherwise,

If in your personal association with him

You enter into his pursuits, you will fall

And be ruined to tumble down with a crash."

Then the Oracle added, "If in maintaining a harmony

With his mind you show how different you are,

He will think you do so for gaining prestige,

And thus regard you as a man of evil omen.

If you find him to be a mere boy, be with him

As another boy; if you find him one of those

Who will not have their ground marked out

In the ordinary way, do humour him in the way

Of his likings; if you find him to be free

From lofty airs, show yourself to be the same--

This way you will be able to lead him on so

As to keep him free from any sort of faults."