← Sutta collectionITI42So It Was Said 42SuttaCentral (Bhikkhu Sujato translation)Select any verse to keep it — saved passages go to your Dhamma Deck, the same one the app uses.So It Was Said 42The Book of the TwosChapter TwoBright ThingsThis was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.“These two bright things, mendicants, protect the world.What two?Conscience and prudence.If these two bright things did not protect the world, there would be no recognition of the status of mother, aunts, or wives and partners of tutors and respected people.The world would become dissolute, like goats and sheep, chickens and pigs, and dogs and jackals.But because the two bright things protect the world, there is recognition of the status of mother, aunts, and wives and partners of tutors and respected people.”The Buddha spoke this matter.On this it is said:“Those in whom conscience and prudenceare never found at all,have lost their bright roots,and fare on in birth and death.Those in whom conscience and prudenceare always rightly established,thrive in the spiritual life;being at peace, they will not be reborn again.”This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.