5.
The Discourse on Bright Qualities
42.
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"These two bright qualities, monks, protect the world. Which two? Shame and moral fear. If these two bright qualities, monks, did not protect the world, there would be no recognition here of 'mother' or 'mother's sister' or 'maternal uncle's wife' or 'teacher's wife' or 'wives of elders.' The world would fall into confusion like goats and sheep, chickens and pigs, dogs and jackals. But because, monks, these two bright qualities protect the world, therefore there is recognition of 'mother' or 'mother's sister' or 'maternal uncle's wife' or 'teacher's wife' or 'wives of elders.'" The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
They have deviated from the bright root, going to birth and death.
They have grown in the holy life, peaceful, with rebirth eliminated."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The fifth.