1.1Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

2.1“Dveme, bhikkhave, sukkā dhammā lokaṁ pālenti.∥“These two bright things, mendicants, protect the world.2.2Katame dve?What two?2.3Hirī ca, ottappañca.Conscience and prudence.2.4Ime ce, bhikkhave, dve sukkā dhammā lokaṁ na pāleyyuṁ, nayidha paññāyetha mātāti vā mātucchāti vā mātulānīti vā ācariyabhariyāti vā garūnaṁ dārāti vā.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 tutors and respected people.2.5Sambhedaṁ loko agamissa yathā ajeḷakā kukkuṭasūkarā soṇasiṅgālā.The world would become dissolute, like goats and sheep, chickens and pigs, and hounds and jackals.2.6Yasmā ca kho, bhikkhave, ime dve sukkā dhammā lokaṁ pālenti tasmā paññāyati mātāti vā mātucchāti vā mātulānīti vā ācariyabhariyāti vā garūnaṁ dārāti vā”ti.But because the two bright things protect the world, there is recognition of the status of mother, aunts, and wives and partners of tutors and respected people.”

2.7Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca.The Buddha spoke this matter.2.8Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:On this it is said:

3.1“Yesañce hiriottappaṁ,“Those in whom conscience and prudence3.2sabbadā ca na vijjati;are never found at all,3.3Vokkantā sukkamūlā te,have lost their bright roots,3.4jātimaraṇagāmino.and fare on in birth and death.

4.1Yesañca hiriottappaṁ,∥Those in whom conscience and prudence4.2sadā sammā upaṭṭhitā;are always rightly established,4.3Virūḷhabrahmacariyā te,thrive in the spiritual life;4.4santo khīṇapunabbhavā”ti.being at peace, they will not be reborn again.”

5.1Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

5.2Pañcamaṁ.