Shloka 18
मोक्षोपाय-निर्णयः
Determination of the Means to Liberation
अहन्यमानेषु पुनः सर्वमेव पराभवेत् । पूर्वे पूर्वतरे चैव सुशास्या हुभवन् जना:
ahanyamāneṣu punaḥ sarvam eva parābhavet | pūrve pūrvataraś caiva suśāsyā hubhavan janāḥ ||
若人作恶而不加约束、不予纠正，久而久之，万事皆将败坏。故此，先来者——乃至更为年长尊长者——都必须受良政所治、受正当纪律所束，使秩序与福祉不致崩塌。
हुमत्सेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A society collapses when wrongdoing is left unchecked; ethical governance requires timely restraint and discipline, especially among influential or senior members whose conduct sets the standard for all.
Humatsena is advising on principles of rule and social stability, warning that failure to correct misconduct leads to general ruin, and emphasizing the need to govern and discipline even elders and senior persons for the sake of dharma.