The conduct of the good is like the auspicious conduct of the cotton-plant — whose fruit, though tasteless in itself, is white, spotless, and made entirely of quality. It suffers hardship to cover the flaws of others, and, by that alone, earns a fame worthy of adoration in the world.

सज्जनों का आचरण कपास के शुभ आचरण के समान है, जिसका फल स्वयं नीरस होते हुए भी उज्ज्वल और गुणों से भरा हुआ है। जो स्वयं दुःख सहकर दूसरों के छिद्रों (दोषों) को ढँकता है, उसी के कारण वह जगत में वन्दनीय यश पाता है।

One of the most famous similes in the Manas. The cotton plant is presented as the perfect model of a saint’s life: its own fruit tasteless, yet from that fruit comes cloth — the very thing that covers the flaws of everyone else. Tulsīdās says the true test of a good person is what use others can make of them.