theft of another's property, insult to another's wives, and severing ties of friendship. These three, besides being ruinous to oneself, are the gates of hell: lust, anger, and greed. Therefore one should renounce them entirely. These three should never be abandoned, even in the face of immediate danger: a follower; one who seeks refuge saying "I am yours"; and, lastly, one who has come to your dwelling. Verily, O Bharata, freeing an enemy from suffering is alone equal in worth to these three combined, namely, granting a boon, acquiring a kingdom, and obtaining a son. Learned men have declared that a king, however powerful, should never take counsel with these four: men lacking wisdom, men who put things off, men who are indolent, and men who flatter. O sovereign, crowned with prosperity and leading the life of a householder, let these four dwell with you: old blood-relations, noble men who have fallen upon misfortune, poor friends, and childless sisters. At the bidding of the lord of the gods, O mighty king, Brihaspati declared four things that may bear fruit or come to pass within a single day, namely: