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156
LAWS OF MANU.
IV, 173.
173. If (the punishment falls) not on the offender) himself, it falls) on his sons, if not on the sons, (at least) on his grandsons; but an iniquity (once) committed, never fails to produce fruit to him who wrought it.
174. He prospers for a while through unrighteousness, then he gains great good fortune, next he conquers his enemies, but (at last) he perishes (branch and) root.
175. Let him always delight in truthfulness, (obedience to) the sacred law, conduct worthy of an Aryan, and purity; let him chastise his pupils according to the sacred law; let him keep his speech, his arms, and his belly under control.
176. Let him avoid (the acquisition of) wealth and (the gratification of his) desires, if they are opposed to the sacred law, and even lawful acts which may cause pain in the future or are offensive to men.
177. Let him not be uselessly active with his hands and feet, or with his eyes, nor crooked (in his ways), nor talk idly, nor injure others by deeds or even think of it.
178. Let him walk in that path of holy men
in its other sense, 'the earth,' i.e. 'which does not at once yield a harvest,' but mention the first explanation too. It is not impossible that the word has to be taken both ways, and that the author wishes to give with it both a sadharmya and a vaidharmyadrishtânta.
175. Gaut. IX, 50, 68-69.
176. Gaut. IX, 47, 73 ; Vi. LXXI, 84-85; Yagñ. I, 156. As an example of a lawful act causing pain in the future,' Medh. adduces the gift of one's whole property.'
177. The last portion of the verse, 'nor injure others, &c.,' may also be translated,' let him not be intent on deeds (calculated) to injure others.'
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