Do not set thy heart after these objects which cannot be acquired except by very painful exertion, or by sacrificing righteousness, or by bowing down to an enemy. A man without knowledge is to be pitied; an act of intercourse that is not fruitful is to be pitied; the people of a kingdom that are without food are to be pitied; and a kingdom without a king is to be pitied.

In plain words: Don't set your heart on things you can only get with terrible effort, by giving up what is right, or by bowing to an enemy. A person without knowledge, a relationship that bears no fruit, a hungry nation, and a country with no ruler are all to be pitied.