Listen, O wise one, to the teachings of the ancient sages, as they spoke to guide the lives of men and women toward prosperity, virtue, and understanding. They observed that certain careless habits bring ruin, even to the most fortunate—such as constantly cutting grass, digging the earth, neglecting to clean the feet, and disregarding dental hygiene. Wearing soiled clothes, letting the hair become rough and unkempt, sleeping twice a day, lying unclothed, overeating, laughing excessively, or making music with one’s own body or bed—these actions, it is said, can destroy even the fortune of Keshava himself. Yet, there are practices that restore prosperity, even that which was long lost: washing the head and feet thoroughly, serving noble women, eating sparingly, not sleeping unclothed, and abstaining from union on forbidden days. These six are praised as bringers of good fortune. To ward off misfortune, the sages recommend wearing a flower—especially the fragrant pāṇāḍara—upon the head. And where does the goddess of fortune dwell? She is found in the western shadow of a lamp, in the shadow of a bed or seat, and in the dust raised by a washerman. But those who desire long life should avoid the morning sun, the smoke from burning corpses, the company of old women, consuming fresh curds, and the dust stirred by sweeping. Not all dust is the same: the dust raised by elephants, horses, chariots, grains, and cows is auspicious, while that from donkeys, camels, and goats is inauspicious. Most highly praised is the dust from cows, grains, and a son’s body, for it is said to destroy great sins; but the dust from goats, donkeys, and sweeping is a source of severe impurity. Further, the wind from a winnowing basket, water from washing the tips of one’s nails, water from bathing clothes or hair, and the dust from sweeping—all these destroy previously acquired merit. One should be mindful not to pass between two Brāhmaṇas, between a Brāhmaṇa and a sacred fire, between a married couple, or between a master and servant, nor between a horse and a bull. The wise are ever cautious in whom they place their trust. Women, kings, fire, serpents, the recitation of sacred texts, serving an enemy, and the enjoyment of pleasures—all these are unpredictable and should not be trusted lightly. One should not trust the untrustworthy, nor even the trustworthy too much, for from trust arises fear, and it can cut at the very root of security. If, after making peace with an enemy, one remains trusting, it is like sleeping atop a tree—awakening only after a fall. In conduct, neither excessive gentleness nor harshness is wise, for the gentle are overcome by the gentle, and the harsh by the harsh. Similarly, excessive straightforwardness or gentleness is dangerous; straight trees are felled, while crooked ones remain standing. Fruit-bearing trees bend low, and virtuous people are humble; but dry trees and fools neither bend nor yield—they break. Just as sorrows come and go unbidden, so too should a wise person seize opportunities as a cat snatches its prey. With the noble, one should act with care and generosity, but with the ignoble, one may act as one wishes. Secrets are best kept between two; with four ears, they are preserved, but with six, they are revealed. Even Brahmā cannot discover a secret known only to two. What use is a cow that neither gives milk nor is pregnant? What is the value of a son who is neither learned nor righteous? Even one good son, endowed with knowledge and intelligence, uplifts the entire family, just as the moon brightens the sky. In the same way, a single blossoming, fragrant tree scents the whole forest, and a good son brings honor to his family. Of what use are a hundred sons without virtue? One virtuous son dispels darkness as the moon does, not a thousand stars. Indulge a child for five years, discipline him for ten, but when he reaches sixteen, treat him as a friend. Yet, consider this: at birth, a son takes away his father’s wife; as he grows, he takes his wealth; and at death, he takes his life—there is no enemy like a son. Appearances deceive: some tigers have the faces of deer, and some deer the faces of tigers. When the true nature is unknown, distrust is needed at every step. Among the patient, only one fault is found—people may mistake their patience for weakness. One should remember that pleasures are fleeting, and among the affectionate, the clever are never disturbed in thought. When the father has died, the eldest brother becomes as a father—he should protect and care for all, behaving equally toward the younger siblings, toward those who share in enjoyment and livelihood, and toward the sons as well. The union of many, even if each is weak, is formidable; just as a rope made of blades of grass can bind an elephant. He who gives gifts after taking another’s wealth goes to hell as the giver, but the merit belongs to the one whose wealth it was. The destruction of divine property, the seizure of Brāhmaṇas’ wealth, and transgressions against Brāhmaṇas cause families to lose their nobility. For the slayer of a Brāhmaṇa, a drinker of liquor, a thief, or one who breaks vows, atonement is prescribed by the virtuous. But for the ungrateful, there is no atonement. The ancestors and gods do not accept offerings from a lowly man, from one defeated by his wife, or from one in whose house there is an adulterer. Know these four as outcastes: one who is ungrateful, unrefined, long in anger, and dishonest. By birth, a fifth is born from them. An enemy of wicked intent, even if weak, should not be disregarded, for even a small fire, if uncontrolled, can reduce the world to ashes. He alone is truly tranquil who is calm in youth; for when the body declines, who does not become calm? Wealth is common to all, like roads; thinking “it is mine” does not bring joy. The body is governed by the humors and depends on the mind; when the mind is lost, the humors perish. Therefore, ever protect the mind, for when it is healthy, the humors arise. Thus spoke the sages, weaving together the wisdom by which one may live a life of virtue, prosperity, and peace.