The sage asked the spirit of wisdom thus: ‘How is it possible to seek the maintenance and prosperity of the body without injury of the soul, and the preservation of the soul without injury of the body?’ The spirit of wisdom answered thus: ‘Him who is less than thee consider as an equal, and an equal as a superior . . . Form no covetous desire; so that the demon of greediness may not deceive thee and the treasure of the world may not be tasteless to thee, and that of the spirit unperceived. Indulge in no wrathfulness; for a man, when he indulges in wrath, becomes then forgetful of his duty and good works, of prayer and the service of the sacred beings, and sin and crime of every kind occur unto his mind . . . Commit no lustfulness, so that harm and regret may not reach thee from thine own actions. . . . Thou should be diligent and moderate . . . Do not extort from the wealth of others . . . With a malicious man carry on no conflict, and do not molest him in any way whatever. . . . ’

(The Menok i Khrat)