Chapter 7 Sincerity #3 thou thy thee thine thyself

#3 An ancient poet has outdone Polonius in the advice he gives: "To thyself be faithful: if in thy heart thou strayest not from truth, without prayer of thine the Gods will keep thee whole."

Archaic forms of "you". You might wonder if it is necessary to memorize such things, but...
thou (you)
thy (your)
thee (you)
thine (yours)
thyself (yourself)

This text contains all the archaic forms of "you". It is a rare text. In a sense, it is a valuable text.
It is a strange coincidence to encounter such a text.
Perhaps it would be good to memorize them all at such a time.
Some people say, "You don't need to memorize words like these" or "They don't appear in English conversation," but if you keep saying you don't need this or that, there is no end to it.
Memorize what you encounter. Then forget it. Memorize it again when you encounter it again. Then let it settle in your mind. This becomes education.
The people mentioned earlier who say "You don't need to memorize words like these" or "They don't appear in English conversation" would probably look at a text like this Bushido-related one and say, "Such difficult text is not used." I have often heard such things until now.
However, from what I have seen, they are used often.

Just as difficult texts are avoided among Japanese people today, it seems difficult texts are also avoided in English-speaking countries. However, that does not mean English has become easier. They appear when it really matters.
Conversely, if you master English like this Bushido text, you will have acquired English proficiency that surpasses that of native English speakers. If that happens, you will be evaluated as such by English speakers.
That will become an irreplaceable English proficiency and education for you in your life.
And this will become a powerful "weapon" that will help you navigate the world.

thou, thy, thee, thine, thyselfTry memorizing them.
Look, you have now obtained a powerful weapon!

My translation: The ancient poet surpasses Polonius in the advice he gave: "Be sincere to yourself. If you do not stray from the truth in your heart, the Gods will keep you whole even without your prayers."

Tadao Yanaihara's translation: "If the heart is true to the path of sincerity, the Gods will protect you even without prayer," the ancient poet who sang this surpasses Polonius.

Oson Sakurai's translation: Also, in the poem of Sugawara no Michizane, "If the heart is true to the path of sincerity, the Gods will protect you even without prayer," the meaning is far deeper than the advice of Polonius, "To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."