In ancient times, wise ones taught the ways by which people might live with discernment and grace. They said that sincerity pleases the gods, the virtuous, and the twice-born, while others are satisfied by food and drink, and the learned are honored by gifts of respect. One should approach the best among people with reverence, deal with the deceitful by keeping them divided, offer small gifts to the lowly, and meet equals with equal strength. The truly wise, understanding the nature of each person, speak only what is beneficial and quickly draw others under their influence. Caution was always advised: never place trust in rivers, in creatures with claws or horns, in armed men, in women, or in royal households, for all are unpredictable. A prudent person never reveals their loss of wealth, their mental distress, misdeeds committed at home, any deceptions, disgrace, or insults they have suffered. Associating with the wicked or inferior, excessive isolation, affection for another’s home, or living with a woman of bad character—these things destroy good conduct. The wise reflect: in what family is there no fault? Who has never suffered disease or misfortune? Who enjoys unbroken prosperity? Who, having gained wealth, is not proud? Who has not faced adversity or been disturbed by desire? Who is always dear to kings? Who escapes the reach of time? What wealth never loses its dignity? Who, once ensnared by the wicked, escapes unharmed? Consider, then, the plight of one who has neither friends nor relatives, nor wisdom within, whose actions bear no fruit, and who suffers greatly in adversity—how should such a person act? One should avoid a country where there is no honor, no affection, no relatives, and no opportunity for learning. Seek only that wealth which is free from the fear of kings and thieves, and which is not lost at death. For whatever is gained through life-consuming effort is divided by heirs at death; and whatever evil is done from greed for wealth becomes the lasting burden of the one afflicted by faults. The miser who hoards and hides his wealth, touching it again and again, suffers as a mouse does with its hoarded grain—a source of only pain. Those who do not give become examples for the world: naked, afflicted by misfortune, harsh, their hands marked by want, they show the results of their actions. The wretched must teach and beg, crying, “Give, give!”—may you never find yourself in the state of one who does not give. Wealth not used for sacrifices or given to the worthy is guarded by misers, only to be spent in the houses of thieves or kings. Such wealth never benefits the gods, the Brahmins, relatives, or even the miser himself; instead, it goes to fire, thieves, or rulers. May you never gain wealth through excessive toil, by violating righteousness, or by bowing to an enemy. Learning is lost without practice, women lose their grace with unclean garments, diseases thrive on stale food, and the enemy is harmed by exposure. For a thief, the punishment is death; for a false friend, a few words; for women, sleeping apart; for a Brahmin, being left uninvited. Wicked people, artisans, slaves, evil drummers, and women may become gentle when beaten, but they are not to be respected for that reason. Know your servants by their work, your relatives in adversity, your friends in times of trouble, and your wife when wealth is lost. It is said that women have double the appetite, four times the intelligence, six times the energy, and eight times the desire. One cannot conquer sleep by dreaming, nor a woman by desire; fire is not subdued by fuel, nor thirst by wine. Desire is awakened in women by nourishing foods with meat, rich drinks, fragrant perfumes and ointments, delightful garments, and charming garlands. Even in chastity, the stirrings of passion must be acknowledged; when a woman sees an attractive man, her womb is stirred. Whether the man is a brother or a son, if he is well-dressed, her womb is stirred—this is truly so, O Shaunaka! Rivers and women share a nature: both move as they will, independent and playful, and both—through their waters or faults—can bring down their banks or families. A river destroys its bank, a woman her family; both move freely and playfully. Fire is never satisfied with wood, the ocean with the waters of rivers, Death with all beings, nor women with men. There is no satisfaction for the learned, for those who are honored, for those who speak sweetly, for those who seek pleasure, for sons, for life itself, or for desires. A king is not satisfied by amassing wealth, the ocean not by the waters of rivers, a scholar not by speaking, nor the eye by seeing the king. Yet, those who live by their own righteous duties, devoted always to scripture and their wives, who have mastered their senses and honor guests—such people find liberation even at home, O best of men. For one whose mind delights in beautiful, well-adorned women and who dwells on palace terraces, heaven is attained through virtuous deeds. But women are, in every way, difficult to master—not by giving, not by respect, not by honesty, not by age, not by weapons, not by scriptures. Knowledge is gained gradually, wealth is gathered gradually, a mountain is climbed gradually; likewise, desire and righteousness—these five are attained step by step. Worship of the gods is eternal, giving to Brahmins is eternal, knowledge with virtues is eternal, and a true friend is eternal. Those who, as children, do not study, and in youth are poor, lacking wealth and wives—such people are to be pitied, for in this world they wander as beasts in human form. A student of scripture should not fix his mind on eating or mere recitation, but should pursue knowledge even to distant lands, swift as Garuda. Those who, in childhood, do not study, and in youth are overcome by desire and lose their wealth—when old, they are scorned and tormented, like a lotus in winter, withered and alone.