Discipline of life is more precious than life itself, for it is out of
that discipline that life derives value. One may study many philosophies and clear his
doubts but it is the well-regulated life that ultimately avails and nothing else.
Therefore guard it whatever may be the difficulty involved.
This is also the warning of the Upanishads. (Kathopanishad II, 24). The
well-regulated life ennobles every rank of life. Where this fails, good or noble parentage
will not save the man. The Brahmin can study again what he has forgotten of the scriptures
and make up for lost memory. But if he neglects regulation of life he forfeits forever the
advantage of his birth.
