knowledge, the knowledge of the Itihâsas; astrology, the art of circumventing, versification, diplomacy, knowledge of spells, and grammar—these are the eighteen arts and sciences.[1]
38.
A wise man should not despise as trifling these four—a nobleman, a snake, fire, and a priest.
39.
Besides the three kinds of sons, viz., those who are superior to, those who are inferior to, and those who are on an equality with (their fathers), there are besides four others—adopted sons, sons begotten of slaves, legitimate sons, and pupils.
40.
A son should act towards his parents in five things—supporting them, doing their work, maintaining the family, hearing (parental) admonitions, and making offerings to his parents when they die.
41.
They—the parents—should attend to their sons in these five matters, viz., preventing them from doing what is bad, encouragement in doing what is good, giving instruction, contracting of a proper marriage, and bestowing the inheritance (when the time arrives).
- ↑ See notes on corresponding verses in Lokanîti and Dhammanîti. Hetu, which Trenckner, in his Malindapañho, renders doubtfully as "logic," is, in the Burmese gloss, explained by "knowledge regarding embassies," an idea somewhat akin to what is expressed by "diplomacy." The Burmese rendering of these two stanzas in the Suttavaḍḍhananîti is slightly different, although a little more explicit, than what is found in the other Nîtis. Muddâ vacanena of Trenckner is given as Buddhavacanena in the Burmese edition of Milindapañho.
