iti.42 Itivuttaka

The Bright Protectors

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, these two bright principles protect the world. What are the two? Shame and fear of wrongdoing. If, bhikkhus, these two bright principles did not protect the world, there would not be discerned respect for mother or maternal aunt or maternal uncle’s wife or a teacher’s wife or the wives of other honoured persons, and the world would have fallen into promiscuity, as with goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, dogs, and jackals. But as these two bright principles protect the world, there is discerned respect for mother … and the wives of other honoured persons.”

Those in whom shame and fear of wrong
Are not consistently found
Have deviated from the bright root
And are led back to birth and death.

But those in whom shame and fear of wrong
Are consistently ever present,
Peaceful, mature in the holy life,
They put an end to renewal of being.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Bright Things

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“These two bright things, mendicants, protect the world.
What two?
Conscience and prudence.
If these two bright things did not protect the world, there would be no recognition of the status of mother, aunts, or wives and partners of teachers and respected people.
The world would become promiscuous, like goats and sheep, chickens and pigs, and dogs and jackals.
But because the two bright things protect the world, there is recognition of the status of mother, aunts, and wives and partners of teachers and respected people.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Those in whom conscience and shame
are never found at all,
have lost their bright roots,
and fare on in birth and death.
Those in whom conscience and shame
are always rightly established,
thrive in the spiritual life;
being at peace, they will not be reborn again.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.