Long are the arms which intelligent persons have, by which they can return wrongs for wrongs done to them. One should never put trust on him who should not be trusted, nor put too much trust on him who should be trusted, for the danger that ariseth from one’s having reposed trust on another cutteth off one’s very roots. One should renounce envy, protect one’s wives, give to others what is their due, and be agreeable in speech. One should be sweet-tongued and pleasant in his address as regards one’s wives, but should never be their slave. It hath been said that wives that are highly blessed and virtuous, worthy of worship and the ornaments of their homes, are really embodiments of domestic prosperity. They should, therefore, be protected particularly. One should devolve the looking over of his inner apartments on his father; of the kitchen, on his mother; of the kine, on somebody he looks upon as his own self; but as regards agriculture, one should look over it himself. One should look after guests of the trader-caste through his servants, and those of the Brahmana caste through his sons. Fire hath its origin in water; Kshatriyas in Brahmanas; and iron in stone. The energy of those (i.e., fire, Kshatriyas, and iron) can affect all things but is neutralised as soon as the things come in contact with their progenitors. Fire lieth concealed in wood without showing itself externally. Good and forgiving men born of high families and endued with fiery energy, do not betray any outward symptoms of what is within them. That king whose counsels cannot be known by either outsiders or those about him, but who knoweth the counsels of others through his spies, enjoyeth his prosperity long. One should never speak of what one intends to do. Let anything thou doest in respect of virtue, profit, and desire, be not known till it is done. Let counsels be not divulged.Mbh 5.38.1b · Mahabharata · UDYOGA PARVA
Mbh 5.38.1b
Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Themes in this passage
TrustMarriageDharmaFamilySpeechWealthAttachmentCharity
Trust in other traditions
The same theme, as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hellenism address it.
Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.Psalms 22:4 · Bible · Psalms
How should we not put our trust in Allah when He hath shown us our ways? We surely will endure the hurt ye do us. In Allah let the trusting put their trust.Quran 14:12 · Quran · Abraham
Health is the greatest of gifts, contentedness the best riches; trust is the best of relationships, Nirvana the highest happiness.Dhp 15.204 · Dhammapada · Happiness
“Why mourns my son? thy late preferr’d request The god has granted, and the Greeks distress’d: Why mourns my son? thy anguish let me share, Reveal the cause, and trust a parent’s care.”Iliad 18.9 · Iliad · 18
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