Listen, O best of men, to the wise counsel given in ancient times. Seek only that wealth which cannot be threatened by kings or thieves, and which does not vanish at death. For whatever is gained by exhausting toil is divided among heirs when one dies, and whatever wrongs are committed out of greed become the true inheritance of the wicked. The miser who hoards and clings to his wealth, touching it again and again, knows only suffering—his treasure is like a mouse’s store: a source of anxiety, not joy. Those who refuse to give are shown to the world as a warning: naked, afflicted by misfortune, their hands marked with the signs of their selfishness. The pitiable are forced to teach and beg, crying, “Give, give!”—may such a fate never be yours. Wealth that is not used for noble sacrifices or given to the worthy when asked is soon lost, spent not by the owner but in the houses of thieves or kings. The miser’s riches never reach the gods, the Brahmins, nor even his relatives or himself; instead, they are consumed by fire, stolen, or seized by rulers. Therefore, may you never gain wealth through excessive labor, unrighteous means, or by bowing to your enemies. Learning fades without practice; for women, neglect is seen in unclean garments; disease follows the eating of stale food; and an enemy is weakened by exposure. Punishments are suited to each: death for the thief, few words for the false friend, sleeping apart for women, and not being invited for the Brahmin. Wicked people, artisans, slaves, evil drummers, and women may become gentle when beaten, but they are not worthy of respect for that reason. Know your servants by their work, your relatives in adversity, your friends in trouble, and your wife when fortune fails. It is said that women possess twice the appetite, four times the intelligence, six times the energy, and eight times the desire as men. Yet, just as sleep is not conquered by dreaming, nor fire subdued by adding fuel, neither is a woman mastered by desire nor thirst quenched by wine. Desire in women is awakened by nourishing foods, rich drinks, perfumes and ointments, beautiful garments, and charming garlands. Even the chaste may feel passion stir within; for when a woman sees an attractive man, her heart is moved, whether he is brother or son—this is the truth, O Shaunaka. Rivers and women are alike in their independence and unpredictability; both, by their waters or faults, can undermine their banks or families. A river destroys its bank, a woman her family; both move freely and playfully. Fire is never sated with wood, nor the ocean with rivers, nor Death with the living, nor women with men. There is no end of craving for the learned, for those who are honored, for those who speak sweet words, for those who seek pleasure, for sons, for life, or for desires. A king is never satisfied with wealth, the ocean never filled by rivers, a scholar never content with speaking, nor the eye with seeing the king. Yet, for those who live by their own righteous duties, devoted to scripture and their wives, who master their senses and honor guests, liberation can be found even at home. For one whose mind delights in beautiful, well-adorned women, who dwells in palaces, heaven is attained through virtuous deeds. But women are difficult to master—not by gifts, respect, honesty, age, weapons, or scriptures. Knowledge, wealth, climbing a mountain, desire, and righteousness—all these are gained step by step, with patience and persistence. Some things are eternal: worship of the gods, giving to Brahmins, knowledge joined with virtue, and a true friend. But those who, in childhood, do not study, and in youth lack wealth and wives, are to be pitied, for they wander the world as beasts in human form. A student should not fix his mind on eating or mere recitation, but should pursue knowledge with the speed of Garuda, even to distant lands. Those who neglect study in youth, and are overcome by desire and lose their wealth, are scorned and tormented in old age, like a lotus in winter. Reasoning has no firm foundation, scriptures are divided, and there is no sage whose doctrine is not contradicted. The truth of dharma lies hidden, deep as in a cave—follow the path trodden by the great. The mind of a person can be discerned by appearance, gestures, gait, actions, speech, and the changes in their eyes and face. Even when nothing is spoken, the wise infer meaning; for true intelligence understands gestures. The meaning of words is grasped even by animals, and horses and elephants carry out what is shown to them. If one strays from wealth, he should go on pilgrimage; if from truth, to Raurava hell; if from yoga, seek steadfastness in truth; if a king loses his kingdom, he should go hunting. Hear further, O Shaunaka. If one abandons what is lasting and pursues what is fleeting, he loses both—the lasting is lost, and the fleeting was never his. For a man lacking the power of speech, knowledge is useless, like a weapon in the hand of a coward, or a beautiful wife to a blind man. The power to eat is in food, enjoyment is in a worthy woman, the power to give is in wealth; austerity bears no fruit for the insignificant. The Vedas yield fruit through sacrifice, good conduct brings auspicious results, a wife brings pleasure and sons, and wealth brings the fruits of giving and enjoyment. A wise man should choose a wife from a good family, even if she is not beautiful, but never a beautiful woman from a bad family. What use is wealth joined to misfortune? Who would take the jewel from the crest of a snake? Thus, these teachings are given for the wise to ponder and follow, that they may find happiness, virtue, and liberation in this world and the next.