Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 520

.MAXIMS OF
480
PRUDENCE
but there is no means by which we can know the
thoughts of a woman.
L. Place no confidence in a parasite, or in a miser, or
in any one who meddles in affairs which do not concern
him. Do nothing to damage your friend. Avoid all com-
munications with your friend's wife when he is away.
LI. A prudent man will never divulge his thoughts to
another before he knows that other's thoughts.
LII. Nothing is more seductive and, at the same time,
more deceitful than wealth. It is extremely troublesome
to acquire, to keep, to spend, and to lose.
LIII. Courage is the most splendid quality in an elephant
high-spiritedness is the most splendid quality in a horse
the moon is the most beautiful ornament of the night
cleanli-
the sun is the most beautiful ornament of the day
gentleness
ness is the most beautiful ornament of the house
virtuous
in words is the most beautiful ornament of speech
so
children are the most beautiful ornaments of families
too is modesty the most beautiful ornament in a woman,
sayings
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
justice the most beautiful quality in kings.
LIV. Just as rain brings an end to famine, the bearing
of children an end to a woman's beauty, an illicit transac-
so does
tion an end to the wealth of him who permits it
the degradation into which great people may fall bring an
end to their greatness.
LV. When one sees blades of sahrabi grass on white -ant
heaps one can tell at once that snakes are there so when
one sees anybody frequenting the company of wicked men
one may feel sure that he is as wicked as the others.
LVI. Great rivers, shady trees, medicinal plants, and
virtuous people are not born for themselves, but for the
good of mankind in general.
LVII. The joy of a Brahmin invited to a good feast, of
a famished cow to which fresh grass is offered, or of a
virtuous woman 2 who goes to a feast where she meets
and
;
1
;
1
Dubois evidently means darbha
grass.
Ed.
Hindu stories are to be believed, it was formerly a practice among
Hindu women, who happened to become separated from their husbands
by accident, to get up a feast on a very large scale, and to invite people
of all sorts and conditions to it on the chance of coming across their
2
If
long-lost husbands.
Ed.