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DISCOURSE 38
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even his iron-safe to his wife if she spends money within the limits of his income; if she does not waste money on unnecessary things, and if she spends only as much as is essential to carry on the household. But such prudent and sensible women are very few. A majority of women generally waste money on unnecessary things. As soon as they get money, they spend it not only on necessary things but also on unnecessary things. If they need one sari, they buy half a dozen saries. If they need one article of decoration, they buy many. If they have money with them, they make ducks and drakes with it by lavishing it on fine dress, sparkling jewels, and on their pleasures and amusements. Therefore, you must give only small amounts to women.
This principle, of course, does not apply to those women who earn money, themselves. They spend the money that they earn in the way they like. Yes, if they have the responsibility of taking care of some people, and if they have the responsibility of taking care of and supporting their families, they will not waste money. If an earning woman has no such financial responsibilities; and if she lacks sense and prudence, she would spend money wastefully, and would ruin her life.
The women who are sensible and prudent and who have the sagacity to realize their responsibility towards their families, assist their husbands in times of need and keep their families free from financial difficulties. We can learn from books that such examples existed even in ancient times. We hear stories of such examples even in the present-day life. Man must be sensible and wise. He must know the nature and disposition of his wife; and he must also know whether she is capable of managing the household with patience and prudence.
LIMIT THE LIBERTY OF WOMAN; DO NOT GIVE HER FREEDOM
The third point that has been mentioned is that woman should not be given freedom. In this age when women are demanding freedom; women may not like this ideal. But one vital point must be borne in mind. Those who talk about women's freedom do not believe in spiritual objectives and in
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