In this world, people may be recognized by the things they seek. The lowest among men are quick to quarrel, the middling strive for agreement, but the best always pursue honor, for honor is the true wealth of the noble. Indeed, honor stands as the very root of all prosperity; if one possesses honor, what need is there for mere riches? For a person who has lost both honor and self-respect, neither wealth nor even life itself holds any meaning. Again, it is said: the lowest seek only wealth, the middling desire both wealth and honor, but the greatest seek honor alone, for honor is the enduring treasure of the great. Consider the lion in the forest: even without riches, the lion does not bow before any creature, nor does it eat what is offered or covet the prey of others. Similarly, those born into noble families, even if poor, never stoop to base actions. No ceremony or consecration makes the lion king of the beasts; by the strength of its nature alone, it rules the forest. In this world, there are those who fail to fulfill their proper duties: the careless merchant, the barber, the proud beggar, the poor man who is lustful, the beautiful woman, and the one who speaks unpleasantly. There are five acts considered evil for a person: being generous while poor, being miserly while wealthy, having a disobedient son, serving a wicked person, and dying in the midst of good deeds. And five things burn fiercely, even without fire: separation from a beloved, disgrace from one’s own people, lingering debt, service to a wicked person, and friends who turn away due to poverty. Of the countless worries that beset a person, four cut as sharply as a razor’s edge: insult from the lowly, hunger, an indifferent wife, and obstruction from one’s own kin. Yet there are also five roots from which sorrow is removed: an obedient son, wealth, learning, good health, virtuous company, and a loving, compliant wife. The world offers many temptations and dangers. The deer, elephant, moth, bee, and fish are each destroyed by a single weakness; so how can a person who succumbs to all five avoid ruin? And among Brahmins, those who are impatient, harsh, arrogant, poorly dressed, or self-invited—no matter how learned, even if equal to Brihaspati—are not to be honored. A person’s lifespan, actions, wealth, learning, and death are all determined at birth. Yet, in life, five qualities shine as excellent: climbing mountains, crossing waters, tending cattle, restraining the wicked, and raising the fallen. There are things in this world that are fleeting and unstable: the shadow of a cloud, affection from a wicked person, union with another’s wife, youth, and wealth. Life itself is unstable, as are riches and youth; even children, spouse, and others are impermanent. Only righteousness, fame, and good reputation endure. Even a hundred years of life is truly little; half is lost to night, and the rest to disease, sorrow, old age, and fatigue—thus, what remains is fruitless. For humans, half their life is lost in sleep, much of the rest in childhood, separation, suffering, and service to rulers; what little remains is as fickle as the waves—what pride can the proud take in such a life? Day and night, old age moves through the world, and death devours beings as a serpent swallows the wind. Whether one is moving or still, awake or asleep, if he does not act for the good of all beings, his actions are no better than those of a beast. What difference is there between a person who, lacking discernment of right and wrong, is content merely by filling his belly, and an animal? A person whose fame is not established in valor, austerity, charity, learning, or wealth is like his mother’s excrement—fit for no honor. Only that life, even if lived for a moment, in which knowledge, courage, and honor remain unbroken, is called true life by the wise. Even a crow lives long and eats offerings, but what is the use of life without wealth or honor? What value is a friend who is fearful and suspicious? One should live with a lion’s resolve, going forth without despair—for even a crow lives long and eats offerings. If a person shows no compassion to himself, to his teacher, to his servants, the poor, or in the affairs of friends, what is the fruit of his life among men? Even a crow lives long and eats offerings. He whose days pass without pursuing the three aims of life—dharma, artha, and kama—though breathing, does not truly live, like the bellows of a blacksmith. Success comes from acting independently, not by following others; those whose actions depend on others, though alive, are as good as dead. Cowards are always content with little, like a mouse with a handful of grain; though never truly satisfied, they are pleased even with scraps. The shadow of a cloud, fire in grass, water by the roadside, the passion of a courtesan, and affection from a wicked person—these six are as fleeting as bubbles. Words without substance do not please the world; life is rooted in honor, and when honor fades, happiness cannot remain. The powerless find strength in the king; the child’s strength is in his crying; a fool’s strength is silence, and a thief’s strength is falsehood. The more a person studies scripture, the more his intellect grows, and knowledge becomes dear to him. As one directs his mind toward what is good, so does he become beloved everywhere. Three things can destroy a person: greed, carelessness, and misplaced trust; therefore, one must avoid these pitfalls. One should fear danger as long as it has not arrived, but when it is present and intense, one must stand firm, without fear. A lingering debt, an unfinished fire, and an untreated illness—all these grow again and again; therefore, nothing should be left unfinished. One should repay what is done, and return harm for harm; there is no fault in dealing with the wicked as they deserve. Beware the friend who hinders your work in private but speaks sweetly to your face—such a friend is false, an enemy in disguise. Even a good person is ruined by association with the wicked, just as clear water is muddied by filth. That twice-born who partakes, partakes of everything without exception; therefore, a Brahmin should be honored with all effort and care. Thus, through these teachings, the wise may discern the true path in this impermanent world, seeking honor, virtue, and right action above all.