to righteousness instead of other sins.[626] If a quantity of water be poured upon salt, the latter immediately dissolves away.  Even so when expiation is performed, sin dissolves away.  For these reasons one should never conceal a sin.  Concealed, it is certain to increase.  Having committed a sin, one should confess it in the presence of those that are good.  They would destroy it immediately.  If one does not enjoy in good time what one has stored with hope, the consequence is that the stored wealth finds another owner after the death of him who has stored it.  The wise have said that the mind of every creature is the true test of Righteousness.  Hence, all creatures in the world have an innate tendency to achieve Righteousness.  One should achieve Righteousness alone or single-handed.  Verily, one should not proclaim oneself Righteous and walk with the standard of Righteousness borne aloft for purpose of exhibition.  They are said to be traders in Righteousness who practise it for enjoying the fruits it brings about.  One should adore the deities without giving way to sentiments of pride.  Similarly, one should serve one’s preceptor without deceit.  One should make arrangements for securing to oneself invaluable wealth in the hereafter which consists in gifts made here to deserving persons.’”

SECTION CLXVIII

“Yudhishthira said, ’It is seen that if a person happens to be unfortunate, he fails to acquire wealth, how great so ever his strength.  On the other hand, if one happens to be fortunate, he comes to the possession of wealth, even if he be a weakling or a fool.  When, again, the time does not come for acquisition, one cannot make an acquisition with even one’s best exertion.  When, however, the time comes for acquisition, one wins great wealth without any exertion.  Hundreds of men may be seen who achieve no result even when they exert their best.  Many persons, again, are seen to make acquisitions without any exertion.  If, wealth were the result of exertion, then one could, with exertion, acquire it immediately.  Verily, if the case were so, no man of learning could then be seen to take the protection for the sake of his livelihood, of one destitute of learning, Among men, that which is not (destined) to be attained, O chief of the Bharatas, is never attained.  Men are seen to fail in achieving results even with the aid of their best exertions.  One may be seen to seek wealth by hundreds of means (and yet failing to acquire it); while another, without at all seeking it, becomes happy in its possession.  Men may be seen doing evil acts continually (for wealth) and yet failing to acquire it.  Others are in the enjoyment of wealth without doing any evil act whatever.  Others, again, who are observant of the duties assigned to them by the scriptures, are without wealth.  One may be seen to be without any knowledge of the science of morals and policy even after one has studied