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Yudhisthira inquired, "How should one react to peoplewho insult you by their rudeness and arrogance?"

Bhisma replied, "If one does not become angry wheninsulted by another, then he takes away all the piousmerit that person may have accumulated by good deeds.In addition he transfers to the abuser his own sinfulreactions. After all what is the value of praise or blamewhen uttered by a vulgar fool? A person who praises someone in his presence but criticizes him behind his back is no

better that a dog."

Yudhisthira, "How should one debate with anunscrupulous person?"

Bhisma replied, "In a debate the tactics of a truthfulperson are limited, but a deceitful person can utilize any

abominable method. However if the truthful person wereto use the same tactics as his opponent, he will findhimself at a greater disadvantage, for he is acting contraryto his nature. Therefore a truthful and honest personshould always avoid an argument with an unscrupulousperson."

Yudhisthira then inquired, "How should one behavetowards a more powerful enemy?"

Bhisma replied, "Even though the swift current of the rivercan uproot and carry huge trees, the canes survive since

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they bend with the current. Similarly in order to survive anenemy more powerful, one must yield while staying firmlyanchored to the roots."

Yudhisthira inquired, "What should a weak person do ifout of foolishness and pride he provokes a powerfulenemy?"

Bhisma replied, "O King, the weaker person must repentand thus appease the stronger enemy."

Yudhisthira inquired, "What is the origin of all sin?"

Bhisma replied, "Greed, the hankering to posses morethan one's naturally ordained quota is the origin of all sin.The desire to posses that which belongs to another isinsatiable and gives rise to anger, lust, loss of judgment,

arrogance, miserliness, lack of compassion, enviousness,mistrust and many other evils. Ignorance is made up ofthe same material as greed, though if analyzed it can beseen that ignorance also comes from greed. As one'sgreed increases, his ignorance also becomes moredense."

Yudhisthira inquired, "What produces the highest merit?"

Bhisma replied, "Self-restraint surpasses all other activitiesin this regard and is therefore considered to be thehighest virtue. Because self-restraint purifies and controls

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every aspect of one's life it is more important than givingin charity and the study of the Vedas. By self-restraintalone one can achieve liberation from the material world.

Self-restraint comprises sense-control, freedom fromanger, non-enviousness, impartiality, truthfulness,steadiness and contentment. However, the essentialquality of self-restraint is austerity. Thus no good can beachieved without austerity."

Yudhisthira then inquired, "O Bhisma, is there any rule

that should never be violated under any condition?"

Bhisma replied. "The worship of true brahmans and givingthem all kinds of respect must never be given up underany circumstance"

Mahabharata, Shanti Parva