Shloka 13
Kāpavya-carita (कापव्यचरित) — Reforming Dasyus through Regulated Rāja-Dharma
असतां शीलमेतद् वै परिवादो5थ पैशुनम् । गुणानामेव वक्तार: सन्त: सत्सु नराधिप
asatāṃ śīlam etad vai parivādo ’tha paiśunam | guṇānām eva vaktāraḥ santaḥ satsu narādhipa naraśvara ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô roi, seigneur des hommes, la médisance et la calomnie sont bien l’inclination propre des méchants. Les hommes de bien, au contraire, lorsqu’ils sont parmi les hommes de bien, ne parlent que des vertus d’autrui.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Slander and backbiting are marks of a corrupt character, whereas the virtuous cultivate speech that highlights others’ good qualities—especially in the presence of the good.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma advises King Yudhishthira on ethical behavior, here focusing specifically on the moral discipline of speech and the influence of good company.