AN 2.9 - Cariya Sutta (Virtuous and Pure Conduct)
Translated by Bhikkhu Candana
Source: https://www.mindreleased.com/s/Book-2_Anguttara-Nikya-A-New-Translation.pdf#page=31
License: Candana — free distribution, unaltered contents
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Candana source labels: 9. Site text ID: AN 2.9.

9. Cariya Sutta (Virtuous and Pure Conduct) “Bhikkhus, there are these two virtuous and pure things that protect the world. What two?

“Possessing wise inner moral shame, and possessing wise moral fear in one’s heart. “And if, Bhikkhus, these two virtuous and pure things did not protect the world, then one would not distinguish between one’s own mother, sister, aunts, or the wives of one’s teachers, and other respected individuals, treating them all as objects of his sensual lust. Therefore, with no sense of moral restraint or dignity, boundaries disappear as the world becomes a promiscuous cesspool where people would behave much like dogs and jackals, chickens and pigs, like goats and sheep.

“Therefore, because of the presence of these virtuous and pure qualities, by possessing wise inner moral shame and wise moral fear in one’s heart, the world is kept protected. As a result, one does distinguish between one’s own mother, sister, aunts, and the wives of one’s own teachers, and other respected individuals.”
