O wise Śaunaka, listen as the ancient sages impart their counsel on the ways of the world, guiding the conduct of men and women. They warn that one should never sit alone with one’s mother, sister, or daughter, for even the most learned are vulnerable to the powerful pull of the senses. Yet, for one’s own women, there is no contrary passion; as the means are, so follows the penalty, and one must tread carefully. Some things may be understood—such as the wind’s path in an age, the swift course of a horse, or the vast movements of the ocean—but the mind of a woman who lacks affection remains unfathomable. Chastity among women arises because there is no moment of solitude, no opportunity for requests, and no one to make them; thus, their virtue is preserved. A woman devoted to her husband finds joy in serving him alone, even if others may be pleasing to her eye. For men, however, not obtaining other women is not considered a fault. If a mother, overcome by passion, commits secret acts, her sons—especially those of good character—should not dwell upon them. The world places high value on the courtesan: sleep dependent on others, constant jesting and laughter, feigned sorrow, a body pledged for a price, a throat marked by the nails of libertines, and a neck adorned with many ornaments. These are seen as her price. Six things—fire, water, women, fools, serpents, and royal households—are always served by others, yet each can swiftly take away life. What is remarkable if a learned Brahmin knows the Vedas, or a king skilled in governance acts righteously? What is remarkable if a beautiful, youthful woman is both virtuous and passionate? But truly remarkable is the poor man who never commits sin. One should not reveal one’s own faults to others, nor expose another’s shortcomings in learning. Like a tortoise concealing its limbs, one should observe the weaknesses of others while keeping one’s own hidden. Even if women are situated in the depths of the netherworld or behind high walls, if they are not obtained because of the absence of hair, then who can claim they are unattainable? A person who is sharp, knows secrets, and is a thorn to his own people causes more distress than an external enemy who openly bears hostility. He is learned who pleases a child with sweets, a student with discipline, a woman with wealth, the gods with austerity, and all people with proper conduct. Those who seek friendship through deceit, virtue through impurity, prosperity by harming others, knowledge through ease, or a woman through force are not wise. If a foolish man cuts down a fruit-bearing tree for its fruit, he will gain only fruitlessness and incur great fault. A wealthy ascetic, a laborer far from home, a drunkard, and a chaste woman—O Brahmin, such things are difficult to believe. One should not trust the untrustworthy, nor even a friend, for a friend, when angered, may reveal all secrets. Trust and goodness toward all beings should be shown, but one’s own nature should be concealed; this is the mark of a virtuous person. In whatever work is undertaken, one should follow the doer, but always act with courage and intelligence. The wise avoid old women, new wine, dried meat, three kinds of roots, curd at night, and sleep during the day. Poison comes in many forms: gatherings for the poor, a young woman for the old, knowledge learned from a blade of grass, and food when indigestion is present. A song is dear to the unhoarse, a high seat to the lowly, a gift to the poor, and a young woman is dear to the earth. Diseases arise from excessive drinking of water, eating hard foods, depletion of bodily elements, suppression of natural urges, sleeping during the day, and staying awake at night. Exposure to the midday sun, excessive sexual activity, smoke from cremation grounds, heating hands over fire, and gazing at menstruating women—all these together diminish a long life. Dried meat, old women, the morning sun, fresh curds, intercourse at dawn, and sleep—these six quickly take away life. Likewise, freshly churned ghee, grapes, young women, milk-based foods, hot water, and the shade of a tree can quickly take away life. Yet, well water, the shade of a banyan tree, and a woman’s breast are warm in cold seasons and cool in hot seasons. Three things immediately give strength: oil massage for children, good food, and rest. Three things immediately take away strength: travel, sexual intercourse, and fever. Dried meat, milk, and constant association with wives or enemies should not be consumed with kings, for they bring separation in an instant. Even Lakshmi abandons, as she would even the wielder of the discus, one who wears dirty clothes, neglects dental hygiene, overeats, speaks harsh words, or sleeps at sunrise and sunset. Constantly cutting grass, digging the earth, wiping the feet, neglecting dental cleanliness, wearing dirty clothes, rough hair, sleeping twice daily, lying unclothed, overeating, excessive laughter, playing music on one’s own body or bed—these bring ruin even to the fortune of Keshava. A well-washed head, thoroughly cleaned feet, serving noble women, eating little, not sleeping unclothed, and abstaining from intercourse on forbidden days—these six bring back long-lost prosperity. Wearing any flower on the head, especially the fragrant pāṇāḍara, wards off misfortune. The western shadow of a lamp, the shadow of a bed or seat, and dust from a washerman are places where the goddess of fortune resides. The morning sun, smoke from corpses, old women, fresh curds, and dust from sweeping—one who desires long life should avoid these. The dust of elephants, horses, chariots, grains, and cows is auspicious, while the dust of donkeys, camels, and goats is inauspicious. The dust of cows, grains, and from a son’s body is highly praised and destroys great sins, but the dust of goats, donkeys, and that from sweeping brings great sin and severe impurity. Wind from a winnowing basket, water from washing the tips of nails, water from bathing clothes, water from washing hair, and dust from sweeping destroy previously acquired merit. One should not pass between two Brāhmaṇas, between a Brāhmaṇa and a sacred fire, between a married couple, between a master and servant, nor between a horse and a bull. Thus, the wise preserve themselves and their merit, walking carefully in the world, guided by the ancient teachings.