Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 27.djvu/489

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SECT. I.
THE NÊI 𝖅EH.
455

the ground, and she then take it up. Outside or inside[1], they should not go to the same well, nor to the same bathing-house. They should not share the same mat in lying down; they should not ask or borrow anything from one another; they should not wear similar upper or lower garments. Things spoken inside should not go out, words spoken outside should not come in. When a man goes into the interior of the house, he should not whistle nor point If he have occasion to move in the night, he should use a light; and if he have no light, he should not stir. When a woman goes out at the door, she must keep her face covered. She should walk at night (only) with a light; and if she have no light, she should not stir. On the road, a man should take the right side, and a woman the left.

13. Sons and sons' wives, who are filial and reverential, when they receive an order from their parents should not refuse, nor be dilatory, to execute it[2]. When (their parents) give them anything to eat or drink, which they do not like, they will notwithstanding taste it and wait (for their further orders); when they give them clothes, which are not to their mind, they will put them on, and wait (in the same way)[3].

If (their parents) give them anything to do, and then employ another to take their place,


  1. Zottoli has for this—"viri mulieresque." The writer is speaking of men and women, indeed; but the characters have reference to place, and = "out of the house or in it."
  2. That is, they will not presume on any indulgence which they might expect from the impression made by their general character and behaviour.
  3. "Orders," consequent on their parents' seeing that the food or garment is not to their mind.