Listen, O best of listeners, to the wisdom spoken by the sages of old. There was once a wife, ever abundant in virtue, whose devotion to her husband was unwavering. She spoke with sweetness and grace, her heart always inclined toward union at the proper time, never straying from the path of righteousness. Such a wife, adorned with these qualities, became the source of all prosperity in her home. The man blessed with such a companion shone among men like Indra himself. But not all wives are thus. There are those with harsh eyes, impure in conduct, fond of quarrels and always eager for arguments. Such a wife is like old age itself—she brings weariness and decline, not merely by years but by her very presence. Worse still is the wife who seeks another’s company, who desires another’s house, acts without shame or virtue, and is unrestrained in her ways. She too is old age, not by the passage of time, but in truth, by the suffering she brings. Yet, a wife who knows the ways of virtue, who follows her husband with contentment in little, is truly dear—not just in word, but in the depth of the heart. Beware, however, of an evil wife, a deceitful friend, a servant who answers back, and a snake in the house—for these are certain death, without doubt. Therefore, avoid the company of the wicked and seek the association of the good. Perform virtuous deeds day and night and remember always that all things are impermanent. There are women fierce as serpents, dark and agitated, with bloodshot eyes and faces terrible in anger. Their tongues are sharp as a crow’s, their hearts cruel, skilled in intrigue, wandering to other men’s houses, their minds disturbed and lacking affection. Such women should not be served. Know also that power may arise in a child, virtue in one who is ungrateful, and a hundredfold fire in gold. Sometimes, by fate, passion arises for courtesans, and sometimes it does not. Who can remain steadfast when a snake appears in the house, when disease resists all treatment, or when the body is afflicted by childhood or old age, each at its appointed time? In times of trouble, one should first protect one’s wealth, but with wealth, one must protect one’s spouse, and above all, one must always protect oneself, even at the cost of spouse or wealth. For the sake of the family, one may abandon an individual; for the sake of the village, the family; for the sake of the country, the village; and for the sake of the self, even the earth itself. It is better to dwell in hell than in a house of wicked conduct, for in hell, sin is exhausted, but in a house of evil, it only grows. The wise man moves forward with one foot while standing with the other—he does not abandon his former place before examining the next. One should leave a land of bad conduct, a dwelling full of trouble, a miserly king, and a deceitful friend. What use is wealth in the hands of a miser, or knowledge mixed with cunning? What use is beauty without virtue and valor, or a friend who turns away in times of distress? Many who were never seen before become friends to one in power, but when deprived of wealth and position, even one’s own kin become enemies at the wrong time. A friend is known in adversity, a hero in battle, a pure person in solitude, a virtuous wife when wealth is lost, and a dear guest in times of famine. Just as birds abandon a tree when its fruit is gone, cranes leave a dried-up lake, courtesans forsake a man without means, ministers desert a fallen king, bees leave a faded flower, and deer leave a burnt forest, so too do people act according to their interests—who, then, truly belongs to whom? A miser is pleased by gifts of wealth, a greedy man by respectful gestures, a fool by flattery, and a learned man by truthfulness. The gods, the virtuous, and the twice-born are pleased by sincerity; others by food and drink; and the learned by gifts of honor. Approach the best with reverence, the deceitful with division, the lowly with small gifts, and equals with equal strength. The wise, understanding each person’s nature, should speak what is beneficial and quickly bring them under their influence. Never trust rivers, those with claws or horns, armed men, women, or royal households. A wise person does not reveal loss of wealth, mental distress, misdeeds at home, deception, disgrace, or insults. Association with inferior or wicked people, excessive separation, affection for another’s home, and living with a woman of bad character—these destroy good conduct. In whose family is there no fault? Who is not afflicted by disease? Who has not encountered misfortune? Whose prosperity is unbroken? Who, having gained wealth, is not proud? Who has never faced adversity? Whose mind has not been disturbed by women? Who is ever dear to kings? Who is not subject to the reach of time? What wealth does not lose its dignity? Who, having fallen into the trap of the wicked, has departed safely? He who has neither friends nor relatives nor wisdom, whose actions bear no fruit, and who suffers great sorrow in adversity—how should such a one act? Avoid that country where there is no honor, no affection, no relatives, and no opportunity for learning. Seek only that wealth which is free from fear of the king and thieves, and which is not lost at death. Whatever is gained with life-consuming effort is divided by heirs when one dies; and whatever evil is done out of greed for wealth, that alone becomes the dowry of one afflicted by faults. The wealth hoarded and hidden, touched again and again by the miser, is like a mouse’s store—only a source of suffering. Those who are naked, afflicted by misfortune, harsh, with skull-marked hands—they show to the world the result for one who does not give. The wretched teach and beg, crying, “Give! Give!”—may you never be in the condition of the one who does not give. That wealth which is not used for sacrifices or given to the worthy when asked, but is guarded by misers, is spent in the houses of thieves or kings. The miser’s wealth does not go to the gods, nor to the Brahmins, nor to relatives, nor even to himself; it goes to fire, thieves, or kings. May you never obtain wealth through excessive toil, by violating righteousness, or by bowing to an enemy. The loss of learning comes from lack of practice; for women, it is wearing dirty clothes; for diseases, it is eating stale food; for an enemy, it is exposure. The punishment for a thief is death; for a false friend, few words; for women, sleeping apart; for a Brahmin, not being invited. Thus, O wise one, these are the teachings of the sages—ponder them well and let them guide your life.