1.
Untruthfulness, rashness, guile, stupidity, avarice, uncleanliness and
cruelty are women's seven natural flaws.
2.
To have ability foreating when dishes are ready at hand, to be robust
and virile in the company of one's religiously wedded wife, and to have
a mind for making charity when one is prosperous are the fruits of no
ordinary austerities.
3.
He whose son is obedient to him, whose wife's conduct is in accordance
with his wishes, and who is content with his riches has his heaven here
on earth.
4.
They alone are sons who are devoted to their father. He is a father who
supports his sons. He is a friend in whom we can confide, and she only
is a wife in whose company the husband feels contented and peaceful.
5.
Avoid him who talks sweetly before you but tries to ruin you behind
your back, for he is like a pitcher of poison with milk on top.
6.
Do not put your trust in a bad companion nor even trust an ordinary
friend, for if he should get angry with you, he may bring all your
secrets to light.
7.
Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise counsel
keep it secret, being determined to carry it into execution.
8.
Foolishness is indeed painful, and verily so is youth, but more painful
by far than either is being obliged to live in another person's house.
9.
There does not exist a ruby in every mountain, nor a pearl in the head
of every elephant; neither are sadhus to be found everywhere,
nor sandal trees in every forest.
10.
Wise men should always bring up their sons in various moral ways, for
children who have knowledge of niti-shastra and are well
behaved become a glory to their family.
11.
Those parents who do not educate their sons are their enemies; for as
is a crane among swans, so are ignorant sons in a public assembly.
12.
Many a bad habit is developed through overindulgence, and many a good
one by chastisement, therefore beat your son as well as your pupil;
never indulge them. ("Spare the rod, and spoil the child.")
13.
Let not a single day pass without your learning a verse, half a verse,
or a fourth of it, or even one letter of it; nor without attending to
charity, study and other pious activity.
14.
Separation from the wife, disgrace from one's own people, an enemy
saved in battle, service to a wicked king, poverty and a mismanaged
assembly—these six kinds of evil, if afflicting a person, burn him even
without fire.
15.
Trees on a river bank, a woman in another man's house, and kings
without counsellors go without doubt to swift destruction.
16.
A brahmana's strength is in his learning; a king's strength is
in his army; a vaishya's strength is in his wealth; and a sudra's
strength is in his attitude of service.
17.
The prostitute has to forsake a man who has no money, the subject a
king who cannot defend him, the birds a tree that bears no fruit, and
the guests a house after they have finished their meals.
18.
Brahmanas quit their patrons after receiving alms
from them; scholars leave their teachers after receiving education from
them; and animals desert a forest that has been burnt down.
19.
He who befriends a man whose conduct is vicious, whose vision is
impure, and who is notoriously crooked is rapidly ruined.
20.
Friendship between equals flourishes; service under a king is
respectable; it is good to be business-minded in public dealings; and a
handsome lady is safe in her own home.
