सत्यमस्तेयमक्रोधो ह्रीः शौचं धीर्धृतिर्दमः ।
संयतेंद्रियता विद्या धर्मः सर्व उदाहृतः ॥
- याज्ञवल्क्य
The following aspects living constitute Dharma – Truth, never stealing, no anger, remorse, cleanliness, intelligence to separate good and bad, calm mind, austerity, control over senses and good education
- Yajnavalkya
वयो बुद्ध्यर्थवाग्वेष श्रुताभिजनकर्मणां ।
आचरेत्सदृशीं वृत्तिं अजिह्मामशठां तथा ॥
- याज्ञवल्क्य
One must keep himself busy with occupation that suits his age, intelligence, wealth, language (speaking ability), dressing sense, education, lineage (family born into) and skill. At any cost one must not cheat. One must not walk down the path of dishonesty.
- Yajnavalkya
यस्मिन् देशे य आचारो व्यवहारः कुलस्थितिः ।
तथैव परिपाल्योऽसौ यदा वशमुपागतः ॥
- याज्ञवल्क्य
When a king conquers another state, he must rule that state as per the laws and customs prevailing in that state. He must uphold the dignity of the families in that state. He must ensure that business runs as usual.
- Yajnavalkya
ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते चोत्थाय चिन्तयेदात्मनो हितं ।
धर्मार्थकामान् स्वे काले यथाशक्ति न हापयेत् ॥
- याज्ञवल्क्य
One must get up early in the morning and think about his own wellness. Be positive. Whenever the world presents opportunities to earn some Dharma (by doing good deeds), wealth and pleasures – he must grab it. He must not let them go (in the guise of austerity).
- Yajnavalkya
नाश्रमः कारणं धर्मे क्रियमाणो भवेद्धि सः ।
अतो यदात्मनोऽपथ्यं परेषां न तदाचरेत् ॥
- याज्ञवल्क्य
It is not the hermitage that constitutes Dharma. It is the actions of people in a hermitage that qualifies as Dharma. Wise men know this. Hence they will not encourage people to rush to hermitages as a way to follow Dharma. Wise men will not advise to others what they know will not work.
- Yajnavalkya