Shloka 57
हंस–साध्यसंवादः, वाक्-निग्रहः, महाकुल-लक्षणम्, शान्ति-उपायः
Hamsa–Sādhya Dialogue; Restraint of Speech; Marks of Noble Lineage; Means to Peace
स्त्रीषु राजसु सर्पेषु स्वाध्यायप्रभुशत्रुषु । भोगेष्वायुषि विश्वासं कः प्राज्ञ: कर्तुमहति
strīṣu rājasu sarpeṣu svādhyāya-prabhu-śatruṣu | bhogeṣv āyuṣi viśvāsaṃ kaḥ prājñaḥ kartum arhati ||
“在女子、在君王、在毒蛇、在诵读与学识（svādhyāya）、在权势之人、在仇敌、在享乐、乃至在寿命之上——有哪位智者会把完全的信任寄托其中？”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not give absolute trust to volatile powers and unstable conditions—political authority, enemies, sensuality, and even life itself. Wisdom lies in alertness, restraint, and calibrated reliance rather than blind confidence.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura counsels the Kuru court with nīti (practical ethics) as tensions move toward war. This verse is part of his admonitions, urging sober judgment and caution amid intrigue, power, and uncertainty.