नीतिसारः
by चाणक्य, कामन्दक आदि (Chanakya, Kamandaka and others)
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This lesson is a collection of moral maxims (niti-shlokas) drawn from Chanakya-niti, Kamandaka-niti and Rajaniti-ratnakara. The verses teach practical wisdom, character-building and the laws of successful living: a single virtuous son brings glory to the whole family; the low seek only wealth, the middling seek wealth and honour, while the noble seek honour alone; listening to the wise brings dharma, knowledge and liberation; a student must shun eight faults; one's past deeds follow the doer as a calf finds its mother; and wealth guards dharma, revision guards learning, gentleness guards a king, and good conduct guards a home.
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The virtuous son and the three classes of men
Just as one flowering, fragrant tree fills a whole forest with its scent, a single virtuous son (suputra) brings light and glory to his entire lineage. Men are of three kinds: the low (adhama) desire only wealth; the middling (madhyama) desire wealth and honour; but the noble (uttama) desire honour alone, for to the great, self-respect is the highest wealth, 'mano hi mahataam dhanam'.
The fruits of listening and the faults to shun
By listening to the wise one understands dharma, discards evil thoughts, gains knowledge and finally attains liberation. A dedicated student must shun eight faults, lust, anger, greed, craving for tasty food, over-grooming, idle curiosity, excessive sleep and excessive comfort, if he wishes to master knowledge.
Karma and what protects what
As a calf unerringly finds its own mother among a thousand cows, so one's past actions (karma) find and follow the doer with their due fruit. Finally: wealth protects dharma (charity), constant revision protects learning, gentleness protects a king, and good conduct protects a home.